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• projects. Specifically, what is the appropriate nature, scope, and timing of citizen involvement for site development partnerships? Ms. Schutz said that in studying site development partnerships, the CIC: 1) reviewed information gathered by staff on experiences in other communities; 2) held a meeting with Abe Farkas, Director of Planning and Development, at which he described the history of such partnerships and the constraints and opportunities they present for citizen participation; and 3) sponsored a panel discussion with City Councilor Shawn Boles, Budget Committee Chair Kappy Eaton, and University Planner Diane Wiley. Ms. Schutz said a number of common themes emerged through interviews with development staff in Eugene and other communities, a review of selected readings, and discussions by CIC. She mentioned two of these: 1. Citizen involvement works most effectively at the front end of a project, during design and planning phases. It is less effective, and can even be detrimental, once a project is at the negotiation stage or is under.actual development. 2. Each project poses its own set of constraints and opportunities, and requires its own citizen involvement plan. It is probably not possible to develop a standard set of policies and detailed procedures that could be followed for all projects. Ms. Schutz referred councilors to the CIC's proposed decision-making model • for site development partnerships. She said the model is very tentative. She said the committee would like an affirmation of council's interest in having the CIC continue its work with this project. Ms. Schutz said public-private partnerships hold the promise of enabling cities to provide services and facilities at a lower cost to the public. But, because they seem unfamiliar to the general public, they are viewed with skepticism. Effective citizen involvement which emerges from City policy and guidelines cannot help but generate greater public understanding. Mr. Boles said he feels this project is appropriate for the CIC, given its charge. He thought that the CIC should formalize its model. Ms. Schue expressed doubts about whether the public, in general, could be educated about the way public/private partnerships work, but said it is worth a try. She thought the CIC should formalize its decision-making model for site development partnerships. Ms. Bascom agreed. She stated that one way to educate the public about the benefit of public/private partnerships is to publicize those that are successful. Mr. Bennett said the model should be used to analyze past partnerships that were unsuccessful. He said this might illuminate reasons why the partnerships failed and show how a different outcome could have been achieved. MINUTES --City Council-- July 24, 1989 Page 4 Dinner/Work Session