The Job you Don’t See: Why Most Council Work Happens Outside of Council Meetings
Most people see the council meetings twice a month. That’s the visible part. About 90% of the job happens outside the council chambers.
Budgets, Strategic Plans, and More
One of the significant responsibilities of the Council is to inform and adopt major planning documents for the City. These act as the roadmap for staff and inform budgeting priorities.
These are important! Without a strategic roadmap - developed with community input - it would be easy to get sidetracked and lose sight of the mid and long term vision.
Understanding the City’s Organization
Our City is a large organization with several departments: Community Services, Public Safety, Public Works, Community Development, Utilities, City Manager’s Office. Within these departments are divisions. And associated with various departments/divisions are commissions and advisory bodies.
When you have a concern or question, understanding the organization is helpful to inform where and how to direct your questions.
Food Trucks | A Lesson in Education and Engagement
This is what good governance looks like.
It’s also a reminder: outcomes can be very different when people engage early and constructively. And when we involve the community on the front end, we can avoid confusion and create policy that better reflects how things actually work.
Public Comment on a Council Agenda Item
Giving Public Comment at Council?
Remember to direct your comments to Council (not the audience). They’re limited to 3 minutes and you should fill out a yellow comment card prior (they’re in the back of the room).
Parks Momentum | Educate, Engage, Empower
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing how community members can turn a concern into real progress. The Parks Momentum that we’re seeing is a direct result of community engagement.