Best Practices for Citizen Participation Marcy Esbjerg MPA

Best Practices for Citizen Participation Marcy Esbjerg, MPA Director Community Development Department Pasco County, FL

Why Citizen Participation? • It’s required! • Citizen Participation Plan – at least two public hearings per year • 5 year Consolidated Plan , Action Plan, AFH • 24 CFR 91. 100, 91. 105 • Includes 30 days of public comment & consultation with agencies, other local governments, etc. • We have the ‘community’ in CDBG! • It’s good practice!

What’s Changed? ØBackground as a planner – maybe nothing! ØPublic Hearing and Public Comment period ØConsultation – e. Con Planning Suite ØAssessment of Fair Housing ØContinuum of Care – people with lived experience

Principle # 1 – Go to the people! ØDon’t expect the people we serve to come to a formal City or County meeting or hearing! ØFind events, meetings, activities already scheduled and invite yourself! ØMaybe not a ‘public hearing’ but rather – citizen participation!

Principle #2 – Consider different participation styles ØWhat’s top on the list of biggest stress or fear – public speaking! ØEveryone learns differently and expresses themselves differently. ØConsider some unique options to get feedback: • Small groups • Voting with stickers or money • Moving people around in groups (stand here if you are in favor of…. ) • Writing on sticky notes – in your own language

Principle # 3 – Recruit others to help! ØGet trained or recruit an outside facilitator ØRely on college students or Ameri. Corps members for outreach and engagement ØUse social media ØWork with existing networks and community leaders Ask yourself – who’s missing?

Spectrum of Citizen Engagement International Association for Public Participation INFORM CONSULT INVOLVE COLLABORATE EMPOWER GOAL Provide balanced and objective information. Obtain feedback on analysis, issues, alternatives, and decisions. Work with the public to make sure that concerns and aspirations are considered and understood. Partner with the public in each aspect of the decisionmaking. Place final decisionmaking in the hands of the public. PROMISE “We will keep you informed. ” “We will listen to and acknowledge your concerns. ” “We will work with you to ensure your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the decisions made. ” “We will look to you for advice and innovation and incorporate this in decisions as much as possible. ” “We will implement what you decide. ” TOOLS • Website & e. News • Posters & Flyers • E-mails & Social Media • Brochures & Newsletters • Surveys & Focus • Workshops & Open Groups Houses • Public Hearings & Town • Steering Halls Committees • Influencer Interviews • Staff Outreach • • • Community or Co • Community-Led Committees Planning Efforts Coalitions & • Community-Hosted Partnerships Forums Policy Development

Final Thoughts ØPlan how you will progress across the spectrum of citizen engagement ØTake your time; be thoughtful in your approach ØCelebrate small victories ØBe responsive to your community’s culture