HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: Neighborhood Initiative Priority Issue Actin Plan
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Neighborhood Initiative Priority Issue Action Plan
Meeting Date: November 23, 2005 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Kurt Corey
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5241
ISSUE STATEMENT
The purpose of this work session is to review the revised work plan for addressing the
Neighborhood Initiative priority issue. Launching a neighborhood initiative was identified by
the council as one of eight priority issues. The council is asked to approve or modify the
proposed action plan. Specific elements of the action plan that require City Council policy or
budgetary action would be brought to the council as separate items.
BACKGROUND
In February, the City Council met to develop strategic priorities for the community, including
“Launching of a Neighborhood Initiative.” At the August 10, 2005, City Council work session,
staff presented a draft action plan that identified major policy issues to be addressed, the overall
description of project phasing, the nature of work to be accomplished, resource needs and
proposed project outcomes.
In responding to council input and discussion, staff revisions to the plan centered on clarifying
the focus, expanding the intent and context for the three key objectives, and consolidating the
number of tasks into fewer, more broadly targeted tasks. The revised plan is intended as a
template and framework for the council and community dialogue that will launch the
neighborhood initiative. This document outlines an approach to working in partnership with
neighborhood leadership and members of the general public. It is not intended to be a
comprehensive plan. The refinement of the plan will begin with the involvement of the
neighborhood associations, and continue through the implementation of the three key objectives.
The purpose of the action plan is to build Strong Neighborhoods by developing community
leadership and working collaboratively with residents to achieve the delivery of City services
and neighborhood priorities. The City has a long history of working with the neighborhoods.
This action plan is intended to build on that history, and to encourage change and growth to
achieve a vision of collaborative partnership.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Policies related to each priority issue will be addressed in specific action plans. The
Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan identifies three major objectives. Organized within these
objectives are nine areas of activity with 19 individual activities identified as priorities on which
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to focus initial community dialogue. In revising the plan, staff attempted to eliminate some
specificity in favor of providing broader tasks. Specific tasks can be further detailed during the
implementation with neighborhood involvement. The particular mix and level of activities that
will be undertaken will be shaped by City Council direction, identified neighborhood priorities,
and available resources.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council is asked to provide direction on the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan. The
council may approve the plan as proposed, or with modifications. The council’s action will give
staff direction to continue implementing the plan.
The three objectives of the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan as proposed are:
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Enhance effective public engagement activities.
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Support neighborhood involvement in problem solving.
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Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified priorities.
The council may direct that a higher or lower level of priority, or no priority, be assigned to each
objective. A higher level of priority will result in a higher level and larger range of activities
being pursued within a major objective. A lower level of priority will result in a lower level and
smaller range of activities being pursued.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the council provide direction on the proposed Neighborhood
Initiative Action Plan.
SUGGESTED MOTION
The potential motion for City Council action is to approve the proposed Neighborhood Initiative
Action Plan as proposed or as modified by the council.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Revised Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Kurt Corey, Public Works Director
Telephone: 682-5241
Staff E-Mail: kurt.a.corey@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
Council Strategic Priorities Action Plan
Launch Neighborhood Initiative
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 has prepared a revised draft Action Plan.
The focus of the revised 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.
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:
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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.
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Support neighborhood involvement in problem-solving.
Facilitate effective
neighborhood associations through leadership training opportunities, improved
communications, and providing resources based on individual association needs.
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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
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Build on strengths & assets
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Identify and respond to community/neighborhood vision and priorities
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Create Partnerships
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Maintain Ongoing commitment to Strong Neighborhoods concept
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Collaborate & use existing resources
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Given the potential scope and breadth of the initiative, related actions and tasks are
targeted for implementation within a five-year planning horizon structured around the
three key objectives. A two-phased approach to launching the initiative is proposed:
Phase One:
High priority actions and tasks that might be initiated or completed within a
two-year timeframe assuming resources are available.
Phase Two:
Continue and complete larger-scope actions initiated during Phase One.
Complete additional actions and continuation of longer-term efforts assuming resources
are available.
B. Strategic Priority Outcomes
Strong Neighborhood Outcomes
The broader community outcomes of the plan are to increase public involvement and
engagement processes related to neighborhoods and improve the quality of life on a
neighborhood basis. Refinement of specific performance measures will be identified in a
collaborative process following Council adoption of a plan. However, examples of
possible performance measures are as follows:
Phase One:
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Annual report on use of best practices in citizen involvement projects
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Increase number of associations that meet all Council criteria for an active
association
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Identify Neighborhood Priorities
Phase Two:
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Increase number of people participating in public involvement activities
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Respondents to annual community survey are aware of their Neighborhood
Association and feel it is having a positive impact on their neighborhood
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Deliver Neighborhood Priorities
C. Progress to Date
The City Council and organization have an ongoing commitment to the objectives and
outcomes identified in this plan. Key programs and activities completed or underway
that reflect progress in meeting the three identified key objectives include the following:
Enhance Effective Public Engagement Activities
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Citizen Involvement Strategic Plan
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Redesign and marketing of City website including the “my neighborhood” feature
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Communications training for City staff
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Public information staffing needs addressed in Police and Fire/EMS
Volunteer coordinator staffing levels increased
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Public engagement is promoted as a core value for all program and project
managers
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Project development and public involvement activities are on-going
Support neighborhood involvement in problem-solving
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Neighborhood program redesign effort, including FY06 funding increase for
association public information efforts/newsletters
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Neighborhood leaders training provided including orientation, budget, land use
planning, volunteer recruitment, census data evaluation, and newsletter
production
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Neighborhood outreach on mixed use center planning efforts
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Patrol officer neighborhood meeting attendance supported through FY06 funding
allocation
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Executive and senior level staff participation in neighborhood meetings including
Mayor, City Manager, Police Chief, and City Engineer
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Neighborhood Services staff participation at over 250 meetings in FY05
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Ongoing City programs supporting neighborhood problem-solving including
Neighborhood Watch, Police in the Schools, Community Emergency Response
Teams, No Fire in My Backyard, Adopt-a-Park, the Good Neighbor Agreement
Program, and the neighborhood radar watch volunteer program
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On occasion, Community Mediation Services has been engaged to help with
broader neighborhood conflicts (e.g. Monroe Park)
Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified needs and priorities.
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Central Area Transportation Plan Adoption
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Downtown Plan Adoption
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Neighborhood-based mixed-use development outreach
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Parks, Recreation and Open Space comprehensive Plan development
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Neighborhood-based workshops for specific park plan development
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West University Neighborhood alley & lighting projects
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Traffic calming projects
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Community/neighborhood-based events such as, “We are Bethel Celebration,”
Whitaker River Festival, Multi-Cultural Festival, and Concerts in the Park.
D. Action Plan
Action # Action Step/Task Phase Department Resources
Lead Required
Enhance effective public engagement activities
Broaden Community Involvement and Representation
1 Recruit for participation via demographics Phase One CMO Medium to High
profiles to ensure additional "silent"
stakeholders; e.g., revise boards &
commissions recruitment process
2 Evaluate current and pilot new public Phase One CMO/ High
involvement tools that target accessibility and & Two All Depts
outreach to un/under-represented
communities and those less apt to engage
(the silent “happy” majority).
Broaden Tool Kit for Public Engagement
3 Institute "best practices" for citizen Phase One All Depts Low
involvement, including methods for
establishing clear expectations and closing
the feedback loop.
Empower neighbors to do improvements
4 Reinstate the Neighborhood Matching Grants Phase One PDD/Neighbor- Low to Medium
program. hood Services
Support neighborhood involvement in problem solving
Enhance Role of Neighborhood Associations
5 Provide training on collaboration tools and Phase Two PDD/Neighbor- Medium to High
leadership development/coaching so that hood Services
associations become forums to bring together
divergent views for problem solving.
6 Increase support for Neighborhood Phase One PDD/Neighbor- Low
Associations’ communications, in both printed hood Services
and electronic mediums.
7 Institute annual Neighborhood Summits with Phase One PDD/Neighbor- Current
Neighborhood Associations boards and City hood Services
elected & appointed officials.
8 Update Neighborhood Organization Phase One PDD/Neighbor- Low
Recognition Policy and model charter to hood Services
reflect current Council policy.
9 Divide Cal Young and Active Bethel Citizens Phase One PDD/Neighbor- Medium
into smaller associations, in accordance with hood Services
Council’s policy on neighborhood boundaries.
Action # Action Step/Task Phase Department Resources
Lead Required
Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified priorities
Public Safety Services
10 Collaborate with the Phase One & Two Police Low to Medium
Neighborhood Associations to
define their role in the
Neighborhood-based
Community Policing Strategy
identified in Police Strategic
Plan.
Planning
11 Shift involvement of Phase One Planning Low
neighborhoods to be earlier in Division
the land use process.
12 Review standards for Phase One Planning High
regulating and focusing Infill. Division
Use opportunity siting as a
primary strategy for achieving
density in mixed use centers.
Community Development
13 Work with Neighborhood Phase One PDD/Neigh-Low to High
Associations and other borhood
community stakeholders to Services
identify neighborhood service
priorities.
14 Integrate neighborhood Phase Two PDD/Neigh-Low to High
priorities identified in the City’s borhood
Operating Budget, the CIP, Services
and Council Goals.
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
15 Improve Park Safety through Phase One & Two PW/POS Medium to High
Park Watch program, park LRCS/REC
design and increased
recreation activities by staff
and neighbors
16 Improve neighborhood identity Phase One & Two PW/POS Medium to High
through public art, park
design, and signage.
Infrastructure Services
17 Walkable Community Phase One & Two PW/MAIN High
Improvements –
Review/revise Sidewalk Infill
program.
18 Safe Streets - Upgrade Phase Two PW/ ENG High
unimproved streets,
incorporate context-sensitive
design
19 Train Staff to be ambassadors Phase One & Two HRRS/ Low
for service delivery in All Depts
neighborhoods