Making Austin: public participation in a new comprehensive plan

Public Participation in a New Comprehensive Plan

September 14, 2009Greg ClaxtonPlanning and Development Department

Presentation Overview

• Where we are in the process

• Participation Workshop—August 5, 2009

• Focus Groups

• The Public Participation Plan

• Qualities and Characteristics of Effective

Participation Plans

• Questions

3The Comprehensive

Plan

2Vision &

plan framework

1Plan kickoff

Planning process phases

The three phrases of the Comprehensive Plan create

the basic structure that organizes both public

involvement and work products.

3The Comprehensive

Plan

2Vision &

plan framework

1Plan kick off

1.2Beginning

the process

1.3Beginning to

engage the public

1.1Designing

the process

Plan kickoff

• Consultant team meets community

• Gather and review existing data and plans

• Define process, including the participation plan

• Establish roles and responsibilities

August 5, 2009 Participation Workshop

• 70+ participants

• Answered 4 questions

• Chaotic but enthusiastic

• Tremendous amount of input / 25 pages


Q #1. What would make this interesting, engaging

and meaningful enough to participate?

– Creative, fun, exciting and interactive process

– Provide visual communication

– Ensure diversity and engage different groups of people/inclusiveness

– Transparent, collaborative well defined process and accountability

– Educate/Inform public on the process

– Impact plan has on quality of life


Q #2. What is the easiest way for you to

participate?

– Through information/communication technology

– Face-to-face/Small groups/interactive

– Convenient times and locations, etc.

– Effective promotion and communication

– Fun Innovative process


Q #3. Who needs to be involved that normally isn’t?

– Broad Spectrum

– Disenfranchised/Marginalized/Underrepresented / Different cultural communities

– Kids/ Young People/College Students

– Families

– High AND Low Income

– People with nontraditional work hours

– People outside the urban core

– Businesses


Q #4. What are some ways to get them involved ?

– Educate/Communicate

– Advertise/Promote

– Make participation convenient/fun

– Provide childcare/food/transit/translators

– Make it about kids/Youth

Scientifically Selected Focus Groups• Two groups—September 1 (10 participants) & September 3 (9 participants)

• Participants were screened for some higher education, non-Anglo, ETJ residents, variety of ages

• Generally supported the results of the August 5 workshop

• Asked questions which will be foundation of the first community forum series (issue scan)

• Large majority born in Austin

• More than half signed up to receive plan updates following the group discussion

Public Participation Plan: Guiding Philosophy

Open to All: Participation in the development of thecomprehensive plan is open and inclusive of all of Austin and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Participation is encouraged across geographic, demographic, financial, and other lines. Council comment: More specificity in how we outreach to people who are not normally engaged.

Public Participation Plan: Overarching Goals

Community Engagement: Beyond staff and the consultant reaching out, talking with, and listening to the community, the community engages with itself, across the traditional lines that divide Austin.

Transparency: Participants see their input reflected in the outcomes from meetings and events and see how those outcomes shape and influence the plan.

Public Participation Plan: Guiding Philosophy

Enthusiastic and Vibrant: The process welcomesand encourages enthusiasm, as a foundation forbecoming an increasingly vibrant city.Council comment: More examples of fun activities throughout.

Public Participation Plan: Objectives

• Build understanding of the project and credibility for the process.

• Provide numerous and varied opportunities for public participation and input.

• Understand the needs and interests of the City’s diverse constituency.

• Carefully consider input and show a clear connection between input and outcomes.

Public Participation Plan: Participants and Roles

• Citizens– Dedicated Participant– Occasional Participant– Infrequent Participant

• Partners– Community Leaders– Volunteers– Institutional Partners

– Council comment: Inclusion of the Technical Working Groups and other Boards & Commissions. Clear outline of how all of these play together.

• Comprehensive Plan

Citizen Advisory Task

Force Council comment: Role of the Task Force in synthesizing information.

• Planning Commission

• The Austin City

Council

• City of Austin Staff &

Consultant Team

• Web Site

• Media Outreach

• Online Social

Networking

• Newsletters, Updates

and Fact Sheets

• Speakers Bureau and

Presentations

Public Participation Plan: Spreading the Word

• Austin Public Library

System

• Engaging Activities

• Email Blasts

• Lectures and

Discussion Events


• Brochures and Flyers

• Community events


• Book Clubs and

Reading Lists

• Meet-Ups

Public Participation Plan: Public Participation

Public Kickoff and Open House (week of October 12)

• Tentatively scheduled for October 12, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center

• Open house format

• Allow public to meet consultant team

• Initial issue identification

• Public input on the branding and logo for the Comprehensive Plan


Community Forum SeriesCommunity Forum Series #1 Issues and Aspirations: What do we want Austin to be in 10, 20, 25 years and beyond? SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9 THROUGH 13

Community Forum Series #2 Considering Alternative Futures: What are we becoming? SCHEDULED FOR SPRING 2010

Community Forum Series #3 Selecting a Preferred Future: What changes in direction are needed?

Community Forum Series #4 Draft Plan Review: What actions should be taken to achieve the sustainable Austin of the future?


• Web and Statistically Valid

Survey

• Focus Groups

• Meetings-In-A-Box

• Online Forums—Draft

Comments and Discussions

• Key Stakeholder Interviews

• Council comment: How do these tie the Community Forum Series together?

Public Participation Plan: Transparency and Documentation

• Formal Documents—receiving public review

• Working Documents

• Media and Outreach Materials

• Project Journal

Public Participation Plan: Monitoring and Feedback

• Mechanisms built into the participation process

― Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Task Force

― Partners

― Evaluation Forms

― Media Coverage

― Team Self-Evaluation

• Feedback can be used to adjust participation process

• Council comment: Be more explicit here.

Public Participation Plan: Qualities and Characteristics of Effective Participation Plans

• Sound principles and objectives

• Meaningful input

• Clarity

• Flexible and adaptable

QUESTIONS?