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[COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR] RESOLUTION NO. 230998
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Sponsor: Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to develop a Public Engagement Plan; and directing the City Manager to report back to the City Council in 90 days for final approval of the plan.
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WHEREAS, the City Council believes that all Kansas Citians, regardless of station or circumstance, can provide valuable contributions in City policy decisions; and
WHEREAS, creating healthy, thriving, equitable communities requires engaged community stakeholders, residents, businesses, organizations, and institutions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously adopted Resolution 230126 which directed the City Manager to develop and implement community engagement processes for significant infrastructure plans and projects in Kansas City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council aims to further enhance citizen participation and engagement to enable Kansas Citians to have a greater say in the planning, design, and implementation of their community; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to provide services and solutions that are better suited to people’s needs and the City recognizes when people are allowed to have input into decisions that affect their lives they are more committed and empowered to get involved in the hard work of making their community better after the planning process ends; and
WHEREAS, implementing a Public Engagement Plan will provide a structured framework for the public to engage in meaningful dialogue; and
WHEREAS, such a plan will aim to improve transparency, inclusivity, collaboration and effective decision-making ; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. Directing the City Manager to develop a Public Engagement Plan to present to the City Council for final approval. In developing the plan, the City Manager shall:
(a) Determine and implement best practices and key principles for the purpose of more meaningfully engaging Kansas Citians in the development of City policy, plans, and projects.
(b) It shall be the purpose of this policy to ensure public participation in the formulation of City public policy shall be welcomed and encouraged. Further, is it the purpose of this policy to ensure all Kansas Citians, regardless of station or circumstance, shall have the opportunity to express their views on matters of public policy and that their views are given fair and respectful consideration.
(c) Ensure that, prior to the adoption of public policies which will significantly impact the quality of life of members of the community, the City has fully disclosed the nature of the proposed policy or action, the public has had reasonable opportunity to be informed, consulted, involved, or to collaborate on the proposed action, and the decision-making body has had sufficient opportunity to fairly consider and reflect before action.
(d) Develop and implement procedures to ensure expectations for public engagement are clear, adequate resources are available to meet expectations, and provide accountability metrics for staff.
(e) The public engagement process should provide a timely framework for the notification and meeting process for nearby property owners and registered neighborhood and civic organizations to provide information, answer questions, and hear any concerns about public policies which may impact the area.
(f) Direct city departments to conduct ongoing assessments of civic engagement performance by project in accordance with best practices and key principles to be identified in subsection (a), including but not limited to:
a. Assessing community evaluation of performance according to each principle;
b. Assessing the organizing and communication process;
c. Assessing project accountability and transparency;
d. Managing resources to provide appropriate facilitation training to staff involved in civic engagement work throughout the City; and
e. Incorporating internal and external evaluation methods for further measurement and insights into the quality of the civic engagement process as a whole and each department’s performance in pursuit of the Civic Engagement Principles.
(g) Establish a Civic Engagement Interdepartmental Working Group to advise city departments, the City Manager, and City Council in these assessment processes and to develop a proposed plan for future annual review of civic engagement performance in collaboration with the community.
(h) The City Manager shall develop policies in alignment with the plan to ensure implementation, which may include an Administrative Regulation, Ordinance, or Resolution.
(i) The Public Engagement Plan shall strive to increase applications and participation from areas with historically low participation.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to report back to the City Council within 90 days of the passage of this resolution.
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