Adopt Resolution #16-10-179 Declaring October as Community Planning Month in Ramsey

Each year, the American Planning Association hosts National Community Planning Month. Given the involvement of a new Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan Update in conjunction with the Planning Commission, now is a great time for the City to support this initiative. This year's theme is Civic Engagement.

Established in 2006, National Community Planning Month is celebrated each October as a way to highlight the role of planners and the importance of good planning in our communities. Across the country, communities celebrate planning through a variety of avenues including have a mayoral proclamation declaring October as community planning month; planning department open houses; community tours; or photo contests. Planning is essential for our communities to prosper and maintain balance and cohesiveness.

Each year, a theme is identified to help a community plan highlight an aspect or outcome of planning. The theme can be used to organize events and activities within the community. This year, the theme is civic engagement. The theme underscores the necessity of engaging the public, elected officials and key leaders in discussions that shape the future of our cities. Thoughtful, local planning cannot happen without meaningful civic engagement.

The City recognizes the efforts of several Citizen Planners in our community:

Planning Commission
• Gary Levine, Chair
• Randy Bauer, Vice Chair
• Andrew Andrusko
• Ralph Brauer
• Cindy Nosan
• Gary VanScoy

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
• Bill Kingston
• Christopher Ouellette
• Dan Torgerson
• Dan Franzwa
• Erika Sitz
• Leslie Roering
• Micki Adams
• Scott Brueuer
• Shane Bennett
• Randy Bauer
• Wayne Skaff
• Michael Valentine
• Jane Covart
• Jim Bendsten