Mayor's group told how to keep locals briefed
Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A residents center, a map of wards and automated city notifications were among the suggestions made by local residents and city staff Tuesday evening during the third and final public meeting hosted by the communications subcommittee of Mayor Lioneld Jordan's transition task force.
"One of the things we believe in is open-door government," Jordan said. "I think communication is key for this city right now. That's what we found out going door to door during my campaign and that's what we've planned for this administration."
For the past month, the subcommittee has focused on addressing residents' needs via public input. The group, chaired by former mayoral candidate Walt Eilers, also consists of Michelle Halsell and Ernestine Gibson.
"Since the beginning of this transition process, we've already heard back from 87 Fayetteville citizens," Halsell said.
During the meeting Tuesday, which was held at the Fayetteville Administration Building, residents were asked to answer four key questions regarding the definition of open government, frequency of town hall meet- ings, preferred media for distributing and receiving information, and communicating with the mayor. Residents were not limited to key questions and could answer in person, on the phone or by e-mail.
"I'd like to thank you for organizing this transition process," said Steve Rust, president of the Fayetteville Economic Development Council. "This is really awesome. I'm trying to learn exactly what it is that the citizens want in terms of economic development and what the City Council wants."
Rust identified communication as a key component for successful economic development.
"Unpredictability in the government process kills it," he said. "All the economic people can do is bring forth recommendations. No one can be successful unless the City Council supports what they do. This process it going to help make that happen."
Don Conner, president of a property owners association, suggested that the city require developers to contact neighborhood councils prior to bringing fourth recommendations.
"They need to know whether or not they have a shot at something before going in so they know what they're dealing with before they ever start," he said. "That way, they could save a lot of money on the front end. There should also be a good set of guidelines of what can be developed and where."
Other suggestions made during the input meeting included multiple forms of resident communication, increased student involvement, earlier City Council meetings during the year, improved resident understanding of city government, affordable housing excluding apartments and more involvement in city government from both the property owners associations and council of neighborhoods.
"I've watched the public be very confused about how City Council meetings are run," Fayetteville resident Fran Alexander said. "Most people don't know how the council works or how subcommittees function. I've suggested establishing some sort of handheld card that explains the procedures and when public input occurs. It would mostly be a 1-2-3 type of card that explains how things are done."
Linda Ralston echoed Alexander's suggestion, adding that a residents center would meet both the city's education and communication needs. She also suggested implementing ward maps and free wireless Internet connection within City Hall.
"We already have a visitors center, but my dream would be to have a citizen center - maybe at the old post office," she said. "It would be a place local residents and visitors could go to find out what's going on in the city. I see it as being multifunctional. We could find out how people ended up in Fayetteville, what their passions are. It would also be a way to expand our volunteer base and become more connected."
Eilers said a final report from the city's transition team will be available on the city's Web site Friday at www. accessfayetteville.org.
Also on Fr iday, city employees will receive a survey requesting anonymous feedback. Survey findings will be available online later this month.
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