| ITEM #: 14. DATE: 04/18/2022 AI #:803 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION PLAN |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Steve Careccia, Planning Manager |
OTHER PRESENTER(S):
Matt Klyszeiko, Michael Baker International (General Plan Consultant)
SUMMARY
Adoption of the Community Outreach and Communication Plan for the upcoming General Plan Update as required by Arizona law.
Recommendation
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2022-2241 ADOPTING A COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR GENERAL PLAN UPDATE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Steve Careccia, Planning Manager)
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs related to the General Plan update, including the costs to implement this community outreach and communication plan have been included in the FY2022 budget and the recommended FY2023 budget.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Arizona law requires each municipality in the State to adopt a comprehensive, long-range general plan for the development of the municipality (ARS §9-461.05). The General Plan is effective for up to 10 years. The City’s current General Plan was ratified by voters on November 4, 2014. Therefore, a new General Plan must be adopted/updated by the City and ratified by voters prior to November 2024.
A General Plan is intended to represent a comprehensive and long-range statement of a community’s values and priorities for the development of the community. As such, effective public participation is critical to the process of creating or updating a General Plan.
ARS §9-461.06.C.1 states that the governing body of a municipality must adopt written procedures to provide for effective, early and continuous public participation in the development of a general plan. This participation must come from all geographic, ethnic and economic areas of the municipality. The municipality must also coordinate with and provide opportunities for comment by public officials, agencies and jurisdictions, school districts, military airports and other public/private, civic and professional organizations. Regarding participation procedures, State law provides for the following:
A General Plan is intended to represent a comprehensive and long-range statement of a community’s values and priorities for the development of the community. As such, effective public participation is critical to the process of creating or updating a General Plan.
ARS §9-461.06.C.1 states that the governing body of a municipality must adopt written procedures to provide for effective, early and continuous public participation in the development of a general plan. This participation must come from all geographic, ethnic and economic areas of the municipality. The municipality must also coordinate with and provide opportunities for comment by public officials, agencies and jurisdictions, school districts, military airports and other public/private, civic and professional organizations. Regarding participation procedures, State law provides for the following:
1. There will be broad dissemination of proposals and alternatives;
2. There will be opportunities for written comments;
3. Provision for public hearings after effective notice;
4. Open discussion, communications programs and information services; and
5. Consideration of public comments.
2. There will be opportunities for written comments;
3. Provision for public hearings after effective notice;
4. Open discussion, communications programs and information services; and
5. Consideration of public comments.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The City Council must adopt a public participation plan before beginning the update process to the General Plan. The City is obligated to implement any items that are identified in the Community Outreach and Communication Plan. However, additional opportunities for public participation may always be added. The Community Outreach and Communication Plan represents the City’s commitment to public participation during the General Plan update process. Major components of the plan include:
- Launch of an awareness campaign
- Visual identity and branding
- Project website
- Print and social media
- Facilitation of community workshops (3 rounds)
- Conducting targeted workshops (4)
- Utilization of digital engagement
- Preparation of media releases
- Working with the General Plan Working Group/Committee
- Planning & Zoning Commission worksessions & public hearings
- City Council worksessions & public hearings
City staff, including Communications staff, will assist the consultant with the planning and implementation of these outreach efforts.
As noted in the plan, several items were identified within the first phase (January 2022 – April 2022), which has almost concluded. These items involved the following:
- Project Kick-Off Summit with executive team (occurred February 1)
- Creation of this public participation plan (to be adopted April 18)
- Creation of the General Plan Committee and by-laws (to be adopted April 18)
- Community Outreach (first open house planned for April 28)
- GP/Community Baseline Assessment (currently in process)