City of Gainesville - File #: 080475.

• File #: 080475.
• Version: 2
• Name: Status Update on the City Commission Strategic Initiative to Review Alternative Strategies to Increase Civic Engagement and Responsibility (B)
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Filed
• File created: 1/27/2011
• In control: Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee
• Title: Status Update on the City Commission Strategic Initiative to Increase Opportunities for Civic Engagement (B) This item is to discuss City Commission Strategic Initiative 4.3: Increase opportunities for civic engagement. The item includes an update to the AFL Committee and seeks direction for civic engagement activities in fiscal year 2011 and beyond.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/27/2011	2	Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee	Discussed
1/5/2009	1	Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee	Heard
10/2/2008		City Commission	Referred

Title
Status Update on the City Commission Strategic Initiative to Increase Opportunities for Civic Engagement (B)

This item is to discuss City Commission Strategic Initiative 4.3: Increase opportunities for civic engagement. The item includes an update to the AFL Committee and seeks direction for civic engagement activities in fiscal year 2011 and beyond.


Explanation

This Strategic Initiative was first introduced by the City Commission in December, 2006 at the Strategic Planning Retreat. The Initiative was later adopted and added to the Strategic Plan on February 12, 2007.

In FY 2007, a team of employees representing various departments throughout the City was formed. The team compiled a matrix detailing the current opportunities for civic engagement. The matrix identified over 50 different boards, committees, and groups that offer citizens the opportunity to participate in City government.

In FY 2008, a meeting in each of the City Commission Districts was held to inform citizens of capital projects in their neighborhoods, provide Departmental updates, and relevant information on the City Budget. General Government also conducted a Citizen Survey to give residents the opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of community and government services

In FY 2009, four town hall meetings were held in each of the City Commission Districts to discuss the upcoming budget and the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for the City’s Comprehensive Plan update. In addition, over 50 residents participated in the Citizens Academy, which provides education on topics such as public safety, energy supply, and infrastructure projects.

In FY 2010, the City continued to provide public forums for community engagement through the Citizen’s Academy, public workshops and Town Hall meetings. In addition, the City was awarded a grant from the Center on Government Performance of the National Center for Civic Innovation to engage the public in their perfo...