Residents still have time to help guide the city’s new one-year pilot on public engagement.
The City of Nanaimo is offering more opportunities for residents to give their thoughts on what they’d like to see tested in a new one-year public engagement program, a press release says.
Coun. Jim Kipp proposed the idea of having public forums that would be regularly scheduled and open topic last year, suggesting they would lead to greater transparency, public involvement and collaborative decision-making. The additional meetings would allow people to address councillors without the same public-speaking component as a council meeting, he said.
The city website shows potential ways the city can reach out to the public, from open houses to town hall meetings and formal debate.
Ideas and suggestions from the public-feedback meetings and an online survey will be reviewed by a committee that’s set to make recommendations on the pilot program.
“So far, we have received some very thoughtful ideas and suggestions from residents on how they would like to see a program like this roll out. We’re looking forward to further conversations later this month,” said Philip Cooper, city communications and engagement director, in the press release.
The meetings are on Aug. 16 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Oliver Woods Community Centre, Aug.17 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Harewood Activity Centre and Aug. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lions Pavilion at Maffeo Sutton Park. The online survey is open until noon on Aug. 31 and available at http://cnan.ca/2vlBEYO. People interested in joining the committee on public engagement can e-mail philip.cooper@nanaimo.ca.
-files from Greg Sakaki
