Item A: City Council Goal - Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan

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ATTACHMENT A Council Goal: Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan At the February 2005 retreat of the Eugene City Council, launching a “Neighborhood Initiative” was identified as a council priority issue. A staff team developed a draft action plan to provide a framework for defining the objectives and outcomes the council envisioned when identifying this priority issue. The draft action plan was presented to Council at the August 10, 2005 work session. Based on comments and specific direction provided at the work session, staff prepared a revised draft Action Plan. That Plan was approved with modifications on November 23, 2005. The focus of the plan is on creating and sustaining Strong Neighborhoods, with an emphasis on building partnerships motivated to collaboratively problem-solve and develop solutions that benefit a broad representation of the community. In April of 2007, the Plan was updated again to reflect additional direction from the City Council resulting from the January 2007 Council Retreat, as well as input from Neighborhood Associations, the Neighborhood Leaders Council, and the February 2007 Neighborhood Summit. A.Planning horizon and focus Action Plan Focus: To build Strong Neighborhoods by developing community leadership and working collaboratively with residents to achieve the delivery of City Services and Neighborhood Priorities. The focus is further defined by the following key objectives: ? Enhance effective public engagement activities. Facilitate involvement from the broader community, including under-represented individuals, by diversifying public engagement activities. When residents are engaged as partners and are seen, and see themselves, as part of the solution, then a collaborative relationship is possible. ? Support neighborhood involvement by empowering all neighborhood associations. Facilitate effective neighborhood associations through leadership training opportunities, improved communications, and providing resources based on individual association needs. ? Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified needs and priorities. This objective will be met by focusing on the following guiding principles: Listen to the people o Build on strengths & assets o Identify and respond to community/neighborhood vision and priorities o Create Partnerships o Maintain Ongoing commitment to Strong Neighborhoods concept o Collaborate & use existing resources o NEAP Page 1 4-30-07