Title
Scoping for Downtown Briefings
Report
Issue:
The Planning Commission will brainstorm and discuss the scope for 1-3 briefings about downtown to take place during first quarter of 2015.
Staff Contact:
Presenter(s):
Chair Brown
Background and Analysis:
The Planning Commission's 2014-2015 Work Plan includes 1-3 briefings about downtown. A purpose for these briefings is for Commissioners and public in attendance to increase their awareness about Downtown issues and history as the City prepares for a Downtown planning process in 2015.
The City Council has tentatively scheduled the first 6 months of 2015 for Downtown Plan scoping, followed by 12 months of planning and public process. Although the Council has not passed a budget for 2015, they have indicated this project is a high priority. The Council has not yet determined what the role of the Planning Commission or other advisory boards will be in the scoping or planning process.
In the meantime, the Commission will move forward with planning for their downtown briefings, which are to occur during the first quarter of 2015. In these briefings, staff and potentially other community experts will cover existing knowledge and history about selected downtown subjects. The Commission will choose up to three topics to explore. These briefings will not incur studies for new information - although information needs may be highlighted during subsequent discussion; requests for new information will be determined by City Council during the scoping process.
Tonight's Discussion/Exercise:
Chair Brown has provided the following process for tonight's discussion:
The purpose is to determine the three topics that we want to have briefings on and what the structure of the briefings should look like for the Downtown Plan in early 2015. The briefings are NOT the actual scoping process, but an opportunity to learn more about the issues we believe need to be primary in the scoping process. We will meet the purpose by participating in the following structured activities to come to consensus on the topics and format for the briefings:
"1-2-4-All Brainstorm"
After being given a prompt question, Commissioners will have:
· 1 minute to brainstorm on your own
· 2 minutes to brain storm in a pair
· 4 minutes to brainstorm in a quartet
· 5-8 minutes to discuss as a group
Outcome: We will come to a consensus (vote if necessary) to determine the three briefing topics.
"Creative Destruction" exercise
The following exercise is called "Creative Destruction," and its purpose is to help avoid 'failure' - ultimately to ensure the briefings will be satisfying and enriching.
We will use 1-2-4-All to brainstorm:
· What can we do to reliably guarantee failure?
· Identify which of those things we are currently doing
· Determine which things we will stop doing in order to have a successful briefing
Outcome: We will discuss and provide guidance to staff for preparation of the briefings.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None known at this time
Financial Impact:
Included in base budget