April 15, 2003
Update on PI Standards Task Force
I recently had the chance to review a summary of responses to a March questionaire developed by the new Citywide Public Involvement Standards Task Force.
On the whole, the responses the Task Force received tend to mirror the comments made by participants in its first public workshop back on February 25. Given this continuity, I simply refer you to my notes of that initial workshop rather than try to present the summary of the questionaire.
So, at the very least, the Task Force would seem to be starting out with a pretty solid record of public comments, complaints, and constructive criticism about the public involvement process as it currently exists here in Portland.
According to a Task Force participant, regarding the respones to this questionaire:
A lot of City staff were surprised by the projects on the list of PI efforts that were considered to have not gone so well. It seems the siting of fast food restaurants, jails, fire stations and street changes were listed with positive PI results. It was mentioned that this is probably because the public could make key decisions. Wherever citizen input was limited in scope, due to project parameters, there were complaints about the process.
From here, the Task Force embarks upon the following timeline of activity:
April - May: Prioritize topics to work on, and establish four subcommittees (Neighborhoods/City Bureau/Communities of Color/Business and Public Involvement Consultants).
May - June: Sub-committee draft recommendations.
July - September: Task Force develops recommendations.
October: Public hearing and follow up Task Force meetings.
November - December: Prepare final report to City Council.
More here, of course, as warranted. I'm in the process of checking to see if the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, or any other City office or bureau, if posting any information on Task Force activities to the Web.