08/31/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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group. She clearly pointed out this program in no way allows the Planning Commission to evaluate its own activities. Mr. Lieuallen e felt there was a possibility they might be, noting they would be evaluating its process, and if it misused the process, then the Planning Commission would be evaluating its own processes. Ms. Franklin felt the Planning Commission should not retain the evaluation. Her major concern was that the Planning Commission had not participated in the citizen involvement program throughout the last year, noting a very heavy workload of the Commissioners. She felt staff had not notified the Planning Commission as to what types of things it should do in order to carry out the citizen in- volvement coordinating body. She felt the citizen body must take on a strong role to carry out that function. The argument from the eval- uation committee strongly suggested consideration of having a neighborhood organization or some outside body participating. It should be independent and advisory to the Council. Mr. Delay felt there was a demonstration of lack of independence shown by the fact the evaluating committee had requested the citizen's advisory committee be set up by the Planning Commission, be indepen- dent of the Planning Commission and report directly to Council, yet the Planning Commission ignored the suggestion and wished to retain the citizen's advisory committee to itself. He felt it was very important for citizens to have access directly to elected officials. He felt in order to encourage citizen participation, then citizens' wishes should be considered. e Mr. Bernhard said he could see both points of view. He said as the Planning Commission was making decisions on land-use planning, it would have to be involved in how to get the citizens involved. He felt it should be Planning Commission activity rather than another city committee originated to get citizen involvement. Janet Calvert, 1062 Woodside Drive, President of League of Women Voters, read a statement from the League. It supported the concept of Goal 1 of the LCDC and said it seemed logical the Planning Com- mission should have the final decision in directing and coordinating the citizen involvement program. It stated the citizens advisory committee should be the group to handle the details of such a plan. It also supported the suggested makeup of the committee, and expressed hope the committee would help citizens understand and participate more in local government. A question was raised regarding the process of membership selection for the committee. Ms. Bjornstad replied the neighborhood groups would select their three representatives from their own organizations; the three citizens at-large would be selected by the Planning Commission, and publicity would be given through the news media for interest in this committee. The Planning Commission would select its own member and MAPAC would select its own member. e 8/31/77--5 ~%