Memo Discussion Methods Of Solicitating Public Input
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Steven C. Mielke, City Manager
Date: Friday, September 10, 1993
Subject: Discussion - methods of soliciting public input
The City of Hopkins uses a number of methods in which to solicit public input. They
include:
o A public comments/concerns section on the Council agenda
. 0 A customer feedback form
o Public Hearings
o Neighborhood Meetings
o Representatives from the Neighborhood Advisory Board
o Publication of Council and staff telephone numbers
o Call-in Cable TV shows (in conjunction with HCP)
These are not intended to be an exhaustive list but simply a representation of various
methods used to solicit input from the public.
I recently held a discussion with Councilmember Fran Hesch concerning several ideas
she had for increasing the level of participation and the opportunity for input by the
public. A few of her ideas included:
.
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0 Moving the public comments/concerns section to the front of the .
agenda. This is done at the County Board level under an open
forum title. In that forum, persons not on the agenda are entitled
to three minutes to discuss any item they wish with the County
Board. This oftentimes results in a direction given to staff or the
citizen on what to do next.
0 Consider luncheons, coffee breaks or breakfasts with citizens and
the general public. This concept would entail the Council setting
aside specific time to be available to the public with no agenda and
no set rules other than to allow the public access to the Council
0 Allowing time during Council agendas for call-in questions to the
Council. The chambers is set up to allow for call-in questions,
however, J am unaware of any City which currently uses this
approach during its Council meetings.
0 Meetings in the neighborhoods to discuss with the neighborhoods -
their specific concerns and questions. This has been done on
occasion by the Mayor and City Manager at the invitation of the
neighborhood to an event sponsored by the Association. This
tends to be a fruitful discussion and often leads to a heightened .
awareness of issues important to the neighborhood. It can also act
as good two-way communication with no set agenda.
In discussing this issue with Councilmember Hesch, I indicated that I would place this
item on an upcoming work session to allow the Council to consider these ideas and
others and to discuss the forms and types of tools the Council wish to use in soliciting
public input.
At the work session, I am recommending that the Council consider and discuss this
issue and to determine the need to change the methods currently employed.
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