MOSES LAKE — Officials at the City of Moses Lake want to make the town a destination hot spot, and are looking to the help of a development expert to create a plan they can put into action.

The city council is considering a proposal by Destination Development CEO Roger Brooks to work on a business plan with a goal to increase tourist spending in the area as a means of economic development.

A proposal by Brooks would create an overall business plan that would include a three- to five-year plan to include branding and marketing concepts as well as other proposals to lure visitors to Moses Lake. City staff told council members Tuesday that the type of works Brooks would be doing has created a demand for his services in cities across the country.

The one-year contract would cost the city $155,000, $75,000 of which was committed last year to look at creating directional signage into the city's downtown area.

Discussion on the lure began last year, after the city committed $75,000 to create wayfinding signage to bring people off of Interstate 90 and into downtown Moses Lake. But City Manager Joe Gavinski said discussion continued, and before printing and placing those signs the city wants to make sure the signs symbolize the proper identity of Moses Lake.

Brooks last came to Moses Lake in September as the keynote speaker for the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet.

Gavinski told the council Tuesday Brooks' proposal was really "the whole enchilada" when it comes to creating a comprehensive plan for identity and branding the type of destination the city wants to develop.

"You've already decided you want to do the signage and the wayfinding," Gavinski said. "This puts a little more meat on the bone."

The council took no action on a proposal at their meeting Tuesday night, and staff members plan to bring a contract back to the council that further tailors Brooks' proposal to fit the needs of the city.

Because of downtown redevelopment and other work already under way by the city, Gavinski said the city would try to tailor Brooks' proposal to fit the city's needs.

City associate planner Lori Barlow told council members Tuesday the type of package the city would be contracting with is a detailed one, and Destination Development limits the number of plans its creates each year.

Barlow has spoken to two other cities that have contracted with Brooks, and told council members both had glowing references of his work. Destination Development has already penciled the city in to begin their project around mid-May.

Once Brooks completes his work on the plan for Moses Lake, Barlow said the city wants to be able have a plan to implement those plans in order to create that lure.

"That's what we really hope to have is the plan," Barlow said after the meeting. "A detailed step-by-step plan to help achieve our goals."

Mayor Ron Covey had favored approving executing the contract at Tuesday's meeting, and allow city staff to work out issues as they go along. Because of Brooks' demand, Covey proposed to the city that they move ahead on the project as soon as possible.

"My concern is that if we delay this much longer he is going to erase our name from this slot," Covey said.

The council took no action on the plan following concerns by some councilmen that the city's tourism and parks and recreation commissions take a look at the proposal. Councilman Dick Deane told fellow members he was in favor of the entire plan, but wanted to see more fine tuning and favored having both commissions take a look at it.

"I think the tourism commission especially should be involved in a decision like this," Councilman Bill Ecret echoed.

But others like Councilman Brent Reese said the plans was in line with what the city is trying to do.

"I think it's probably the next step," Reese said. "If the money's there let's do it."

Gavinski said after Tuesday's meeting that a contract with Brooks would likely be brought back to the council for their approval at the next scheduled meeting.