Discuss Appointments to Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Previously, the City Council authorized Staff to recruit an ad-hoc committee to serve as the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee. It was anticipated to appoint six (6) citizen members that did not serve on a current advisory board and commission. The remaining six (6) spots were planned for one (1) representative per each City advisory board/commission. The opportunity was published in two (2) rounds of the Ramsey Resident as well as postings on the City's website and Facebook page.

The following citizens have expressed interest in the Committee:

• Bill Kingston
• Christopher Ouellette
• Dan Torgerson
• Dan Franzwa
• Erika Sitz
• Leslie Roering
• Meghan Mathson
• Micki Adams
• Scott Brueuer

This equates to a total of nine (9) citizen representatives. With board and commission representation, the total size of the group would be fifteen (15). The following backgrounds are represented by the potential appointments:

• Real Estate
• Architecture/Design
• Information Technology
• Homeowners Association Management
• Youth Athletic Association
• Chamber Board of Directors
• Retail
• Environmental Resources

Each member would add value to the process, and the number is relatively close to the originally anticipated number. Although the number of members is higher than originally anticipated, Staff feels that the size of the group is manageable within the framework of our existing citizen engagement. Staff would propose to avoid to exclude a relatively small number of interested parties to simply reduce the number to six (6). This is a special topic, ad-hoc committee with checks and balances with the Planning Commission and City Council.

Staff believes the names above represent a well-rounded cross section of the community that would serve the process well. To exclude any of these interested parties might result in a missed opportunity to develop a well rounded land use plan that addresses the goals currently expressed in the City's various land use plans.

Notification is not required.

A Comprehensive Plan Update Kick Off Meeting is being scheduled for the month of June for the Committee. The intent of the first meeting is to provide background on the process of Comprehensive Planning and an overview of existing plans. The first meeting will also establish a governance structure for the Committee moving forward.

Following this step, Staff will approach the advisory boards and commission to select a representative from each of these groups.

Alternatives:

Alternative #1: Appoint all nine (9) citizens interested. Staff recommends this alternative. While it will result in additional facilitation needs, the financial impact will be minimal. Staff feels the organization has a good structure to manage engagement activities with this level of participation. Appointing these individuals avoids excluding anyone from the process.

Alternative #2: Direct Staff to schedule interviews with the City Council similar to Board and Commission appointments to select six (6) individuals as originally planned. Staff would support this option if desired.

Alternative #3: Consider the Committee as citizen representatives only, and do not include a liaison from each board and commission. Staff would not recommend this option and believes that representation from each advisory board is important.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

Staff recommends the appointment of the citizens interested in the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee listed above.

Motion to appoint the citizens interested in the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee listed above.