Agenda - Council - 01/22/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. THE CURRENT SITUATION A. THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION STRUCTURE AND PROCESS lhe Metropolitan Council has three basic mechanisms to carry out its citizen participation policy: citizen advisory committees, public information materials and attendance at hearings, forums, etc. Responsibility for these three citizen participation functions is currently assigned to three different areas. The advisory committee appointment process is handled by the Chair's office, public infor- mation tasks are performed by the Communications Department, and outreach functions are performed by individual departments, with assistance from the Planning Assistance Department. Citizen Advisory Committees The Council relies heavily upon an extensive network of citizen advisory con~ittees. The co~nittees are given substantial authority to conduct studies and develop policy, and.are given free rein in the formulation of recommendations to the Council. In addition, special task forces and technical con~nittees are formed as needed to handle more specialized assignments. Currently, almost 300 citizens participate in the advisory process through nine advisory committees {aggregate resources, aging, arts, criminal Justice, developmental disabilities, health planning, housing and redevelopment, transpor- tation, waste management), three task forces {regional telecommunica- tions, aviation and long-term care) and three Council-appointed metropolitan commmissions (waste control, parks and open space, and regional transit). _ An 'open appointment' program was begun by the Council in lg76 to recruit citizens for appointment to the three metropolitan commissions appointed by the Council and the Council°s advisory committees. Vacancies for these positions must be advertised in the State Register, but are also noted in the Council°s bi-monthly and monthly newsletters, in news releases and in newspaper advertise- ments. In addition, Council members may recruit citizens to serve on the advisory committees and metropolitan commissions. Public Information Materials A second major technique for stimulating citizen participation in Council activities is the broad dissemination of information on issues and plans being prepared by the Council. Reports, brochures and audio-visual materials increase the level of understanding of regional problems. In addition, brief summaries of Council activities are distributed widely to thousands of area residents regularly to keep them abreast of developments on a continuing basis. The bimonthly Review newslettter and the monthly Metro Monitor newspaper are mailed and distributed to 4,000 and~O00 respectively. The news media offer another means of reaching the-public with information about the Council°s work and upcoming meetings. News releases describing Council decisions, future public hearings and