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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/08/07 Item 18 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT s}!'f:.. CITY OF .~~:k (HULA VISTA Meeting Date: 8/7/07 Item No.: ~ ITEM TITLE: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN CHULA VISTA SUBMITTED BY: SCOTT TULLOCH, ~S~~ANT CITY MANAGER ':./ CITY MANAGER l\1t1. r \4/STHS VOTE: YES D NO 0 REVIEWED BY: BACKGROUND On May II, 2007, the City Council considered a report titled "An Assessment of Civic Engagement in Chula Vista, Findings and Recommendations, March 2007, " by Terry Amsler, California League of Cities Institute for Local Government. At that meeting, the Council appointed a Subcommittee (Mayor Cox and Council Member Ramirez) to review, synthesize and prioritize the many recommendations made in the report. The Subcommittee met with Assistant City Manager Scott Tulloch and Nancy Lytle, Planning and Building, on July 13 and July 20, 2007. They developed a set of goals and six recommendations that can now be developed into an action plan by Staff, Council and the community. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION The Subcommittee recommends to the City Council the adoption of six goals and six recommendations. The following goals for Chula Vista Civic Engagement are: · Effectively Communicate with the Public · Understand Public Preferences and Desires 18-1 August 7, 2007, Item No.:~ Page 2 of2 . Collaborate with the Public in Decision Making . Improve effectiveness and satisfaction of Boards and Commissions . Ensure civic engagement is comprehensive with respect to all sectors of the community . Enhance the relationship between government and the people we serve by increasing the quality of interactions. The six synthesized recommendations are outlined in Attachment A, derived from the Amsler report for improving civic engagement in Chula Vista. DISCUSSION The process used by the Subcommittee was to reorganize the Amsler Report into a concise synopsis of recommendations. They reviewed and discussed their goals and objectives for improving civic engagement. Each member prioritized the recommendations individually and, after discussing their individual priorities in a meeting with staff, synthesized them into six recommendations that met the identified goals. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no impact to the General Fund as a result of this action. The recommendations are part of the current budget assumptions for FY07-08. ATTACHMENTS Subcommittee Summary Recommendations titled "An Assessment of Civic Engagement in Chula Vista, Findings and Recommendations" modified and recommended unanimously 7/20/07 Prepared by: Nancy Lytle. Process Manager, Department of Planning and Building 18-2 AN ASSESSMENT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN CHULA VISTA FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the Recommendations Submitted by the Collaborative Governance Initiative, the Institute for Local Government, April 12, 2007 and as refined and synthesized by the Subcommittee for Civic Engagement July 13, 2007 and recommended for Council consideration on July 20, 2007. VI. CITY COMMISSIONS: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Orientation, Training and Leadership Development 4. Commissioner Orientations should be conducted annually and include: . Review of each commission and board purpose, responsibility and charge . basic governance training and relationship to City Council, staff, other boards and commissions and citizens . meeting conduct, protocols and group dynamics . ethics and other applicable laws, such as the Brown Act and conflict of interest laws . staff overview of revious ear's work content and rocess, 10. Bring commission chairs together annually for a joint session with the City Council for: . information-sharing common learning, . relationship building and setting expectations; . Identify emerging commission needs, obtain information about changes in relevant city protocols or policy, share experiences about effective commission practices, and . receive useful training beyond orientation in meeting facilitation, relevant legal issues, or optional methods of securing public input . assessment of revious accomplishments and rovide direction for the comin ear IX. CITY AND COMMUNITY: RECOMMENDATIONS Planning for Excellence in Public Involvement Synthesis Recommendation 15 through 21. The City Council will lead Civic Engagement efforts that lead to successful policy and program implementation. The inclusive process will convene all sectors: elected and appointed officials, city staff, civic and neighborhood associations, community members, business, non-profit, faith-based and other groups to discuss and hear feedback and to define vision, goals and objectives for building on current successful efforts for a better community. The City will seek to develop the processes, their agendas and informational materials in collaboration or with the informed contributions of participating sectors. The community building efforts initiated in the Southwest will em 10 these techni ues, will be consensus based and will initiate actionable oals and ob'ectives. AN ASSESSMENT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN -1- CHULA VISTA; FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, 2007 Rev. 7/20/07 (Subcommittee, Civic Engagement) 18-3 The outcome will be supported by partnerships that will leverage resources to accomplish community priorities as defined through the grass roots effort. Civic engagement efforts in the Southwest will precede Southwest Specific Plan(s). Capacity BuildinglLeadership Development 26. Offer broadly focused "citizen academies" consisting of several weeks of evening or weekend classes to acquaint residents with the purposes, offices and work of city government. Different city departments will take responsibility for a particular evening or part of a class. City Commissions/Boards may also present information. Benefits accrue to the participants who better understand their city government and the city gains from more knowledgeable and civically engaged residents. Academy graduates will add to the pool of applicants for commission and other civic en a ement 0 ortunities. Civic Engagement Process Development and Innovation 28. The Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation (CVRC) and the Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) should be evaluated jointly in relation to each other and the entire development review process. How they each contribute to building community trust toward redevelopment efforts is important. The RAC and CVRC composition, skills deveiopment, cross training and communication between the bodies, the City Council, the staff and the community should all be explored in the spirit of collaboration. The idea of having project developers/advocates available informally, information sharing and dialogue, and more participatory approaches should be expiored. The opportunity for assessment and the generation of an evolving compendium of civic engagement "best practices" for larger scale planning efforts will aid Chula Vista's ability to embed good civic engagement in City and Redevelo ment A enc lannin and redevelo ment efforts. x. INCLUSION AND ACCESS: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Synthesis of 32 through 46. To attract a broader spectrum of participants to civic engagement, a variety of additional means for them to communicate their opinions should be tailored to the diverse characteristics and needs of Chula Vista residents. New methods of culturally competent public involvement can be employed. Expanding translation and interpretation, moving the location of meetings and relying more on intermediate organizations can heip provide two-way conduits for the City and staff should continue to solicit and support such organizations. As one example, the Chula Vista Youth Advisory Commission can playa more meaningful role, with young people solicited and included in public engagement. Youth Commissioners can also help to engage other youth in such processes and hold forums to encourage youth participation. AN ASSESSMENT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN -2- CHULA VrST A: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDA nONS, 2007 Rev. 7/20/07 (Subcommittee, Civic Engagement) 18-4