AICP ETHICS & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

AICP Exam Review Session January 25, 2008

Georgia Tech, Atlanta

AICP Exam Review

Agenda

Public Participation

Introduction to AICP Code of Ethics

Discussion and Questions

AICP Exam Review

Code of Ethics = 5% of Exam

Public Participation and Social Justice = 10% of Exam

A. Public involvement planning B. Public participation techniques C. Identifying, engaging and serving underserved

groupsD. Social justice issues, literature and practice E. Working with diverse communities F. Coalition building

Public Participation

Introduction

Community Based Planning Not imposed by elected officials or business elite

or by planning consultants Everyday citizens have an opportunity to provide

their input at every level of the planning process

Provide meaningful and real opportunities for anyone in the community affected by the plan to participate in creating the plan

Ladder of Citizen Participation

Citizen Control

Delegated Power

Partnership

Placation

Informing

Therapy

Manipulation

Degrees of Citizen Power

Degrees of Tokenism

NonparticipationSherry R. Arnstein; “A Ladder of Citizen Participation”

Placation

Consultation

Public Participation Provide real notice and real opportunities for the

public to participate Not just a small legal ad in the newspaper

Appearances are important i.e. Staff “backslapping” with applicant/developer prior to a

public meeting

Put yourself in public’s position Attend a meeting, sit in the back of the room for their

perspective. Can you hear? Is everything explained? Walk up to your zoning counter. Are you greeted? Are

forms available and clear?

Public Participation

ADA and multi-lingual considerations for public at meetings

Location for public meetings Government buildings can be intimidating Churches, schools, community centers

Equity Planning – Davidoff and Krumholz Provide choice to those in the community that

otherwise do not have choices

Public Participation

Who are the individuals and groups that need to be specifically targeted for involvement in the planning process? Identify “Stakeholders”

Two common ways to identify the stakeholders: First, organized based on geographic locations

throughout the community. Neighborhood, political district, ward, etc.

Second, organized based on interest groups

Stakeholder Groups Local elected officials Local appointed officials and

boards, such as the planning commission

Board of Education Local government staff - planning,

engineering, and building inspections

Utility authority staff, including water and sewer authorities

Homeowners’ and neighborhood associations

Major landowners Major employers Agricultural groups, such as

farmers, extension agents and the Farm Bureau

Development community, including builders, engineers, surveyors, land planners, and contractors

Realtors Chamber of commerce Industrial development authority Environmental groups Health department Housing agencies Non-profit groups Civic, service, and business groups Churches and faith-based

organizations University and college

representatives Military base representatives Historic, museum, and heritage

groups Senior citizens’ groups and

retirement community residents Youth groups and students

Public Participation

Next, how much and what types of participation?

Consider level of involvement desired and available budget and staff/consultant resources

Planning team should prepare a “plan to plan” for public involvement Community Participation Program under Georgia DCA rules

Public Participation Activities

Two (2) Public Hearings (Minimum)

Stakeholder Interviews Kiosk/Lobby Displays Technical Advisory

Committee Community Preferences

Meetings Website – Information only Website – Response

Capability (e-mail) Website – Interactive with

Surveys Intergovernmental

Partnership Meetings

Public Participation Activities Steering Committee

Kick-Off Public Information Meeting

Visioning Meetings

Printed Public Information

Direct Mail Surveys

Design Charrettes

Media Plan - Press Releases

Student Program

E-mail “blast” – Database

Cable TV Information

Speakers Bureau

Public Participation

Review of AICP Exam Issues Public involvement planning Public participation techniques Identifying, engaging and serving underserved

groups Social justice issues, literature and practice Working with diverse communities Coalition building

Public Participation Sources

American Planning Association (APA), www.planning.org The National Charrette Institute, www.charretteinstitute.org State of Maryland, Office of Smart Growth, www.smartgrowth.state.md.us State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs, Office of Smart Growth

www.dola.state.co.us/SmartGrowth/Documents/CitizenInvolvement Civic Strategies, Inc., www.civic-strategies.com Center for Urban Built Environment (Box City), www.cubekc.org

Print Resources “Successful Public Meetings,” by Elaine Cogan, available from APA

Planners Press, Chicago “The Community Planning Handbook,” edited by Nick Wates, available

from Earthscan Publications Ltd., London “Youth Participation in Community Planning,” by Ramona Mullahey, Yve

Susskind, and Barry Checkoway, available from the Planning Advisory Service at APA, Chicago

AICP Code of Ethics

Introduction Many professions have codes of ethics Unique to planners is the “Public Interest” State and local government employees usually

have ethics responsibilities and local laws Possible conflicts between AICP and local

ethics Possible conflicts with dual specialists, i.e.

Lawyers

AICP Code of Ethics

Revised Code of Ethics 1st Revision in 25 years (1978 Adoption) Adopted March 15, 2005 Became Effective June 1, 2005 AICP Exam questions are now based on this new

Code of Ethics

AICP Code of Ethics

Revised Code of Ethics

Main point of confusion was between Aspirational and Enforceable Standards

Reorganized the Code Separate these two categories of Standards

Clarification of Procedures for Administration Clearly States the Process to File a Charge Establishes Time Limits for Responses and Action Appointment of an Ethics Officer = APA Executive

Director

AICP Code of Ethics

Organized into Three Sections:

Section A: Principles to Which We Aspire

Section B: Our Rules of Conduct - Enforceable Standards

Section C: Our Rules of Procedure

AICP Code of Ethics

Section A: Principles to Which We Aspire

Our Responsibility to… Public – provide information, opportunity for public

input, advocacy, equity and fairness.

Clients & Employers – professional judgment, avoid conflict of interest.

Profession – Enhance integrity, fairness to other planners, contribute time to young professionals and students, continuing education.

AICP Code of Ethics

Section B: Our Rules of Conduct

New Style - “We Shall Not…”

List of Twenty-five (25) Rules – Enforceable Standards

Review this List for Exam

AICP Code of Ethics

Section C: Our Rules of Procedure

Informal Advice Non-Binding Not in Writing

Formal Advice Binding from AICP Ethics Officer Provided in Writing Twenty-one (21) Days Response Time Limit

AICP Code of Ethics

Section C: Our Rules of Procedure

Formal Advisory Rulings Still Possible Added as Needed to the Existing Six (6)

Filing a Charge of Misconduct AICP Ethics Officer Receives Charge Ten (10) days to Transmit to the Certified Planner

– the “Respondent” Right of Counsel – Clearly Stated

AICP Code of Ethics

Section C: Our Rules of Procedure

New Section 16 – Important! Regarding Resignation or Membership Lapse

During an Ethics Charge and Investigation i.e. Resignation to “Avoid” Answering Ethics

Charges If Planner Applies for Reinstatement within two

(2) years, Ethics Matter is Revived If Planner does not Apply for Reinstatement

within two (2) years, Planner may not Reapply for Certification for ten (10) years.

AICP Code of Ethics

Section C: Our Rules of Procedure

Responses, Investigation, Hearings, Decisions and Settlement

Each is Assigned Specific Time Limits Roles and Responsibilities of:

Charging Party Respondent AICP Ethics Officer = APA Executive Director AICP Ethics Committee AICP Commission

AICP Code of Ethics

Three (3) Levels of Action in Code of Ethics

Reprimand

Suspension from AICP

Expelled from AICP

AICP Code of Ethics

Advisory Rulings

Important and Recurring Incorporated into the Code:

1. Sexual Harassment

2. Conflict of Interest

3. Moonlighting

4. Providing Full Information

5. Duties to Help Enforce Code

6. Disclosure (VERY Important)

AICP Code of Ethics

On AICP Exam, Ethics will likely have situational questions (Ethical Scenarios)

Best answer will be how the AICP Code of Ethics would address the situation

NOT how your boss or employer might want you to handle the situation

AICP Code of Ethics

Study Procedural Guidelines There WILL likely be questions on the AICP

Exam that deal with Procedures under the Code

Informal Advice Formal Charges

Know the Roles of: AICP Ethics Officer = APA Executive Director AICP Ethics Committee AICP Commission

Sources

“Everyday Ethics for Practicing Planners”, by Carol D. Barrett, FAICP, 2001, APA Press

APA Website, Code of Ethics: www.planning.org/ethics/conduct.html

Certified Planners and Ethics, by Paul Farmer, FAICP:www.planning.org/ethics/pdf/farmeraddress.pdf

AICP Code of Ethics

AICP Exam Review

Questions about Public Participation?

Questions About AICP Code of Ethics

and Professional Conduct?

Thank You and Good Luck!