...Title
Discuss an Analysis on the Effectiveness of Council-Appointed Advisory Bodies
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss an analysis on the effectiveness of Council-Appointed Advisory Bodies in meeting communication and community engagement goals and provide staff guidance on next steps.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss an analysis on the effectiveness of Council-Appointed Advisory Bodies in meeting communication and community engagement goals and provide staff guidance on next steps.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City Council guidebook outlines the purpose, establishment, appointment process, and Council's relationship with Advisory Bodies. The Guidebook states that "public boards, committees, and commissions provide a great deal of assistance to the Council when formulating public policy and transforming policy decisions into action."
Starting in 1935, with the Planning Commission, the Council throughout the years has established several standing bodies. Today, there are 14 boards, committees, and commissions with 98 Olympia residents serving as members on those bodies.
Methods for engaging and communicating with the public have evolved significantly over the past 10 years. This coupled with feedback received from staff and volunteers reporting challenges and resource constraints, the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee requested staff to evaluate the effectiveness of Council-Appointed Advisory Bodies to evaluate whether they are meeting Council's stated mission.
Staff will share information on the following: primary mission, whether the body is mandated to serve in their role, work plans, meeting frequency and attendance, recruitment, feedback received from staff and volunteers, and other alternative engagement techniques that have been devel...
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