12-19-1995 SPECIAL STUDY SESSIONCITY OF RIOHFIELD
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December 19, 1995
7:00 p.m. -- Special Study Session Meeting
ROLL CALL ..
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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OLD BUSINESS : <<
ITEM #1 Comprehensive Plan - Discussion of public input process
LI EAISONR PORTS:.. -
School Board
Community Services Advisory Commission
H RA
City Council
AdHoc 135/1494 Traffic Committee
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least
96 hours in advance to the Administrative Service's Director at 861- 9702."
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44
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RICHFIELD TOWN MEETING
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The Steering Commmittee agreed at its last meeting to pursue the concept of a town meeting. The
purpose of the town meeting is :
To obtain a more diverse input from citizens
To inform citizens of process thus far and results of process
To identify any additional issues not thought of by steering. committee
There are a variety of ways such a meeting can be successfully carried out. In order to stimulate thought
on a meeting format we have first presented a series of altemaitve meeting formats. Each format is
briefly described in an outline form. After the suggested formats we have prepared a more detailed
description of the elements found in the altematives. These elements can be seen as building blocks that
could go together in a variety of combinations to construct a town meeting.
The following are some meeting formats for using the elements or building blocks described later, they
are by no means all inclusive.
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This style is self explanatory, it is basically a large open meeting held much like a public hearing. It can
result in considerable conflict and the least amount of public involvement.
1. Introduction
2. Background discussion
Panel discussion of the steering committtee
3. Gaining input
Open meeting to discussion and questions by participants.
4. Recap and summarize
COI1 HTIOn STTU
This style .can be varied quite a bit. For example, the background discussion can be left out and
presented simply through the information stations. The information stations can be staffed by steering
committee members. This style can allow for one on one interchange between committee members and
the public and can allow for a more constructive framework for receiving input. Generally participants
feel as though their ideas and thoughts are sincerely valued and sought.
1. Introduction
2. Background
Brief discussion of the committee's purpose and basis for establishment
Process of meeting
3. Gaining input
Break so audience can move about and study the following displays
M General history of the City's development
M Comprehensive plan process
IM History of comprehensive planning in Richfield
N The need for a change and update
N The process used by the steering committee
Convene into small groups for facilitated discussion
4. Reconvene and summarize
WORKSHOP STYIf
This style is a variation on the convention style by adding workshops. The style may also be varied by
not convening the meeting until after a predetermined time during which participants will have visited the
information displays. The workshop style permits more interaction and involvement around given areas
of concern such as neigborhoods or issues. The style can also produce a variety of solutions that haven't
been thought of by committee members.
1. Introduction
2. Background
Brief discussion of the committee's purpose and basis for establishment
Process of meeting
3. Gaining input
Break so audience can move about the displays
so General history
so Comprehensive plan process
so Richfield comprehensive plan history
M The need for a change and update_
so The process used by 5e -stLrenng committee
From this point a variety of o# tions can occur with workshops organized asas follows`
convene into small r facilitated discussion centering aroun ai ing
answers to a limited questions wh ich are designed to identify issu "nd
values. -- - _
convene into concurrent groups, each focu "sing on a separate topic.
M participants may choose one group
so participants may rotate groups after a set period of time
k Convene into small groups organized around either neighborhoods or subareas.
M groups will identify key issues and values associated with each area or
neighborhood.
5. Convene into open meeting for recap and summary
Each group presents the results of its discussions
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The following are elements which might make up a successful town
meeting together with a suggested format. All of these elements may
be considered building blocks to construct a meeting and as such
may be mixed and combined in a variety of formats.
IMODIKTIOn
Brief introduction of steering committee members
Discussion of the appointment process
Brief discussion of the meeting process and format
bflCKGROMD
There are several ways to present the background portion of the meeting. The background sets the tone
of the meeting and prepares the participants for the process that is to follow. We feel that the background
should let the public know .
the general history of Richfield's development and planning efforts
of the purpose and role of a comprehensive plan
about the traditional model and the problems of such a model
Plan must reflect community values and and be able to respond to them on a
continual basis
The process is equally as important as the product.
Sichiield's process
This presentation describes the process that Richfield has followed thus far. The reasons for the
process and the findings should be set out.
survey of existing conditions and initial values identification
bus tour
I* illustration through boards, slides
photo exercise
so show photos and evaluations
values identification and clarification
briefly discuss the process
present results of values clarification process
issue identification
Description of what issues are, and how they relate to the values
present issues and catagories
trend analysis
describe trends and their importance to strategic planning
present results of trend analysis
the strategic framework
This section can illustrate the multiplicity of levels that values, issues and trends can interact on
and effect the city and it's citizens. It can show that the city as a whole represents a collection of
values that project an identity to the outside world and are perceived as a collective identity by
that outside world. In addition, the subareas and interestis within the city represent a separate
collection of values, issues and trends on a more smaller geographic level. All of which not only
play a major role in determining the future of that subarea but also exert their own influence on
the community's collective value and issue structure. This section should illustrate the presence
of this value, issue, trend stratification and the importance of successfully recognizing and
responding to it.
citywide
focus on issues, values that are on a community wide level of concern
identify trends and forces that have an effect on Richfield and could influence its
future
subarea
focus on smaller geographic areas with more grassroots levels of concern.
present sub area maps and issues related to subareas
6flinifl6It R
One of purposes of the town meeting is to gain a broader range of input from the community. There are
seve ethods for doing so, most are small group exercises. Small group exercises permit a more
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personal level of interaction and can v a strong positive influence on building community.
The following are three examples of mostly gaining input. However, they can also be used to
communicate the steering committee's thoughts as well,
workshop stations
our approach and how it differs from other approaches
the process that went into identifying issues and values
The following is a more detailed explanation of the key elements that should be covered in a background
presentation. The form of that presentation can be:
brief summary of the meeting nmcess_
a series of information stations organized around
vp juncral history
N strategic planning process
M need for update
M Richfield's process
iw the strategic framework
a panel discussion led by the steering committee
t
any combination of the above
general history
A brief discussion of Richfield's development history showing its evolution from an outer ring
suburb to a first ring suburb, and the forces that have come to play on it in the process. This
should also illustrate how the early development decisions have influenced some of the issues
Richfield is facing today and will face in the future.
Some key points:
Richfield's development from farmland to present
population changes
outline growth of metro area and its influence on Richfield
description of comprehensive/strategic plan
This should be a discussion on the purpose of a comprehensive plan, in order to acquaint the
audience /participants with the concept and prepare them for understanding the need tom_
the current Ian. The presentation should outline the traditional model highlighting i s intended
use u ness, but inability to provide a working policy tool for cities to make growth decisions in a
quickly changing economic and political environment. It would be effective to illustrate these
problems using Richfield as an example. A brief outline of the key points that such a
presentation might cover are:
Brief description of what a comp plan is
the traditional model
M purpose of the plan- to guide development and growth that reflects
community values
11M applicability to policy implementation
M adaptabilility to changing demands
Richfield's comp plan history
The
Th
Ability of Richfield's plan to provide policy auidanae -
F'° u rate changes over time and how old plan did not provide a process for reflecting
Illustrate the need to have continual reflection of community values
Describe changes since 1982 plan and areas plan did not treat
why update? or change?
This presentation logically follows the presentation above by posing the question of why a
change is needed. It will focus on the short comings of the current planning model and its
inability to provide solid guidance based on community values and desires.
Describe need for update and what an update should do
These can be small stations presenting a particular subject area and affording the public and
opportunity to discuss that area on a more personal level. They may also allow for input and
evaluation. Some ideas:
Organized around issue catagories
M Several stations could present through a variety of media and discussion on
transportation, environment etc.
Organized around products
M Product stations could present descriptions of the Products Richfield has to
offer and the market for such products as well as a discussion of how such
products fit into the overall scheme of Richfield's growth.
Organized around geographic areas
M Neighborhood and /or subarea stations could beset up that would show the
key issues of each area along with the relationship of those issues to the rest
of Richfield.
Organized around other pertinent subjects
M These may be subject areas that are not or have not been covered yet by
the Committee
Open Issue forums
These can be facilitated and participatory workshops conducted for a set period of time in order
to identify issues and values. They may also identify conceptual solutions. This format will work
particularly well if organized around neighborhoods or geographic areas.
facilitated discussions
These can be facilitated disussions using a very limited set of questions as methods of gaining
input and stimulating interchange. They should be done with groups of no more than 10 people
with steering committee member facilitating.
Open meeting
An open meeting may be used at the beginning to introduce the process and at the end to
summarize the results of small group exercises.