1.   Proposal: Videotaping of City Council meetings
2.   Proposal: Formation of Committee for Citizen Involvement
3.   Proposal: Funding for citizen involvement should be Policy
4.   Proposal: Provide Annual Educational Programs for Committee Members

1.   Proposal: Videotaping of City Council meetings

Rationale: The City currently videotapes city council meetings, which begin at 7:00 p.m.  The videotapes are then copied by Citizens For Florence (at a cost of approximately $600 per year) and delivered to the public library and the local cable television station for broadcast on the public access channel. According to the 2000 census, 53% of Florence households have people age 65 or older, and the median age is 55.8 years old.  Therefore, many of Florence’s residents are limited in their ability to attending meetings during evening hours for health or safety reasons.  Alternative access to City meetings provides more citizens with the opportunity to participate in city matters.

Suggested Language: Page 8, Policies - 9. All City Council and Planning Commission meetings where official action is taken shall be videotaped, and a copy of the videotape shall be kept at City Hall for a period of not less than two years, and made available on request to the public.

2.   Proposal: Formation of Committee for Citizen Involvement

Rationale: Florence was granted permission on March 1, 1976 to have the Planning Commission act as the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement.  Florence has nearly doubled in population since 1976, and the issues being faced require an independent committee for the continued monitoring, development and enhancement of a strong citizen involvement program. See Document 1-2.

Suggested Language: Page 8, Policies 1. The Planning Commission shall act as the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement until January 2002. [Approved by LCDC, March 1, 1976]

Suggested Language: Page 8, Policies - 7. The Citizen Involvement Program shall be [reviewed] evaluated annually by the Citizen Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission and the City Council until such time as the new Committee for Citizen Involvement has been appointed in January of 2002.

3.   Proposal: Funding for citizen involvement should be Policy

Rationale: Funding for citizen involvement purposes should be given the same priority in funding decisions as other land use provisions.    Page 4  of the Comprehensive Plan defines the intent of the words “shall” and “should” - “Shall - used in laws, regulations and directives to express what is mandatory.”  “Should - used to express what is probable or expected.”

Suggested Language: Page 9, [Recommendations - 1.] Policies - 9. Funds for citizen involvement purposes [should] shall be considered as part of each year’s budget for the Planning Commission.

4.   Proposal: Provide Annual Educational Programs for Committee Members

Rationale: Due to the rapid turnover of participants in the Citizens Advisory Committee and
the Planning Commission, many members, especially new members, have little
understanding of Oregon’s Land Use Laws.  There is often little understanding by new
members about conflict of interest and ethics regulations, consensus building, or meeting
procedures.  The City has historically provided such training for new City Council
members, and other committee members have been invited.  However, these training
sessions are held based on the City Council election cycle, not annually.  Committee
members are appointed at various times during the election cycle, depending on need to
fill vacant positions.

Suggested Language: Page 8, Policies - 10. The City shall provide for annual training sessions for new members of Planning Commission and advisory committee members which shall cover regulations and procedures regarding conflict of interest, land use laws, ethics, meeting procedures, and other issues as determined necessary by the City Council.

Document List