Loading...
10/07/1993 CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING COMMUNITY CONSENSUS October 7, 1993 The City Commission of the City of Clearwater met in special session at the Clearwater Sailing Center, Thursday, October 7, 1993, at 9:00 a.m., with the following members present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner Arthur X. Deegan, II Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Richard Fitzgerald Commissioner Sue A. Berfield Commissioner Fred A. Thomas Commissioner (arrived 9:06 a.m.) Also present: Michael J. Wright City Manager Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Dr. Peter Graves Ruth Ann Bramson The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. Dr. Graves introduced the program stating he developed the Community Consensus process two years ago. It has been used mainly in the private sector. He stated people with complaints are always around, however, there are other voices in the community. In order for elected officials to know what the people really think, they must reach the middle group of people who do not actively voice their opinions. He stated the Community Consensus project provides the ability for the community to talk to elected officials. The goal of the Community Consensus program is for the community to face the same types of decisions the Commission faces, such as do we preserve open space or do we provide affordable housing. The Community Consensus project provides a vision of the citizens ideal view of the quality of life in their community. Ruth Ann Bramson indicated an article in Newsweek had indicated Florida lacks a sense of community. She stated the Community Consensus project starts a city in the direction of community. Dr. Graves indicated he felt this program could change the relationship between government and what he calls the "unorganized citizens." He indicated the questionnaire for the project requires that choices be made and that, ultimately, all the issues are compared to all other issues, thereby prioritizing them. That prioritization tells the Commission what their plans should lead to regarding quality of life, service and activities. He indicated the service and activities are not necessarily all provided by the City. Mayor Garvey questioned why confuse the public with issues over which the City had no control. Dr. Graves indicated it would be more difficult to explain to the public why, as an example, education was not a part of the list. Ms. Bramson indicated she attended a conference that focused on breaking down the artificial boundaries between agencies, such as cities and schools. Mayor Garvey agreed with the concept but was still concerned that the average citizen would not understand who provides the libraries, the schools or the cities. Commissioner Fitzgerald expressed concerns regarding false expectations that the City would be able to fix something it cannot. Dr. Graves indicated the results of the Community Consensus questionnaire will provide the Commission with the confidence to make some of the difficult decisions it is facing. Commissioner Deegan felt that, in responding to the vision presented, the Commission would be able to provide input influencing those that provide the other services. Dr. Graves indicated the process would also provide information to the Commission regarding how the citizenry felt programs should be funded. He compared traditional opinion polls with the Community Consensus questionnaire, stating opinion polls are created by the pollsters, they address one issue at a time, and ask only if you agree or disagree with an issue. In the Community Consensus project, the content is determined by the citizens, all issues are addressed at one time, and there is a trade-off on the choices. He stated opinion polls only report percentages, are useless for decision making, and support single issue viewpoints, while the Community Consensus results determine consensus, is applicable to decision making, and is independent of single issue viewpoints. He stated the consensus is essentially a compromise, which is something all citizens can live with. Dr. Graves reviewed the steps in the consensus project. 1) A steering committee is appointed; 2) the demographics of the community are studied to determine the appropriate mix and the number of meetings that will be required; 3) public meetings are held in order to obtain input regarding the content of the survey; 4) the survey forms are prepared; 5) public consensus meetings are held at which the people will be asked to respond to the questionnaire; 6) additional questionnaires are distributed in order to assure the appropriate demographic mix; 7) the responses are analyzed; 8) feedback to the citizens groups is provided; and 9) the report is submitted to the city officials. He stated the result of the project will be a document that can be used in order to make decisions. He cautioned there needed to be care taken in the method of distribution, as it could bias the results. He stated it is important to have a representative sampling of the community. Commissioner Fitzgerald expressed concerns that only 20% of the population vote, and questioned how individuals will be gotten to participate. Dr. Graves indicated it would take time for people to believe they can make an impact on government, and the project has to make sure people hear about it. He stated the City will have to make its best effort to reach all the citizens. A process has to be used that makes the unorganized citizens believe they will make a difference. Mayor Garvey pointed out it would be the Steering Committee's job to assist in how to reach all the people. Dr. Graves indicated the project should re-establish connections with the community and encourage involvement. Commissioner Deegan questioned at what point the demographics were matched with the responses that are obtained. Dr. Graves indicated there is a systematic oversampling of the community; the computer will selectively score the results based on the known demographics. The City Manager questioned if individuals living within enclaves would participate. Dr. Graves indicated people with a vested interest in Clearwater, but live elsewhere, will be allowed to participate, but will be analyzed separately. A question was raised regarding whether individuals from Scientology would be analyzed separately. Dr. Graves indicated this would be a decision of the Steering Committee. Commissioner Thomas questioned, at the end of the study, whether or not the report would show the citizens' desires divided between needs and wants, and those prioritized. Dr. Graves indicated the results would be prioritized. Commissioner Thomas stated he wants to understand the needs and the wants of the community. Dr. Graves indicated if the survey asks what people need, it will not be possible to differentiate between needs and wants. He stated the survey is asking people to prioritize what they think is important. Commissioner Thomas questioned how frequently people are surprised by the results of the survey. Dr. Graves indicated there were few surprises. He stated this is a different process that will allow the elected officials to comfortably and safely make difficult decisions. He stated it also validates the elected officials' opinions regarding what the community wants. Commissioner Berfield questioned if there was any way to get the information by geographic area. He indicated it provides an overall consensus of the community. Commissioner Deegan questioned if the consensus of subgroups could be provided. Arlita Hallam, Library Director, questioned to what extent the headlines affect the results. Dr. Graves indicated the results are always based on what is happening in the community at a particular point in time. Commissioner Deegan questioned how the results had been used in Fontana, CA, where this had been done previously. Dr. Graves indicated the document is used to make decisions, and it has guided strategic planning. Commissioner Thomas questioned if Dr. Graves had seen a shift in city government from city manager to strong mayor form of government. Dr. Graves indicated as many go from it as go to it. Commissioner Deegan stated Dr. Graves is meeting with the steering committee this afternoon, and asked what their responsibility would be. Dr. Graves indicated they would determine the number of meetings to be held, assist in establishing the demographics, and how to phrase the questions on the survey. Commissioner Thomas asked what Dr. Graves wanted from the Commission in order to facilitate the process. He indicated he would like to see the Commission members involved in the meetings. He indicated the Commission would be expressing their points of view in these meetings, not debating the issues. Ms. Bramson indicated the City Commission could be the most effective marketers of the program by encouraging participation. Ms. Rice indicated the key point is, once the results are received, the budget can be developed along with a strategic plan, and that will be the real challenge. Commissioner Berfield questioned what was the best way to advertise in order to get the necessary publicity. Dr. graves indicated the Commission would need to get the word out that this program is different from opinion surveys. It was suggested the City work with the Press to get people to attend the meetings. Dr. Graves indicated the Community Consensus process would not play well in the entertainment media, as there is no drama in the process. Ms. Bramson stated she wished to compliment the Commission for pursuing this program. Dr. Graves indicated, from this point on, Ms. Bramson would be helping to facilitate the process, and he will not return until the results are ready to be presented. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.