07-11-23 JDA - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

understand where this leads the JDA. She hoped that by providing new information, fears would be calmed, questions would be answered and the public would feel engaged. Commissioner Fabel stated he believed it would be important to help the public understand that the JDA was coming into a process that has been ongoing for 10 years and many decisions were made prior to the current JDA coming into existence. It was important for the public to understand this was not just starting fresh, but rather this was a JDA which has come to a process that was ongoing and some changes were going to be needed due to the five year hiatus. He saw value in the history of this project being addressed. Commissioner Monson recommended a cohesive vision be presented to the public in order to make the public aware of the good that can come out of this project. In addition, she wante d the economics of this project to be cleanly presented to the public. Chair Wicklund questioned what success would look like at these events. Commissioner Reinhardt stated she was uncertain how to define this with a number. She questioned how many people typically attend County events. Director Collins recommended success not be quantified but rather that success be articulated by the diverse th ought, interest and engagement from the public. She commented further on how the County holds their community engagement events. She hoped an event would have a strong local and regional voice that was interested in the project. She hoped a diverse group o f individuals would carve out the time to attend the community engagement event. Commissioner Monson questioned how many people attended Commissioner Frethem’s event. She believed the Commissioner Frethem held a very successful community engagement event. Commissioner Fabel did not anticipate the JDA would receive an enormous crowd, nor did he believe a cross representation would be in attendance. He hoped the JDA would be satisfied after the event was completed and that thorough information was provided to the public. Chair Wicklund inquired if there was any creative hook that could be used to drive people to the event. Commissioner Reinhardt stated for this type of event, professionals would be used to help assist with marketing the event in order to catch people’s attention. Chair Wicklund summarized the comments from the JDA noting the goals of community engagement events were to build relationship and trust, to provide clear data for the public, and to provide a vision with 3D renderings for the project. It was his hope that having the City and County officials standing side by side on this issue, this would help in breaking the tension. Director Collins commented on how words matter and stressed that as the JDA speaks about housing, it be referred to as housing infrastructure in order to cover all housing types and