News
September 3, 2008
Council Considers Work Plan On Citizens Advisory Councils
The Raleigh City Council is reviewing a draft staff work plan to improve the effectiveness of the City’s Citizens Advisory Councils. The plan was drawn up by City Manager Russell Allen, Assistant City Manager Lawrence Wray and Community Services Director Hardy Watkins, with input from CAC chairpersons.
The following are recommendations in the proposed work plan, which must be approved by the City Council:
- City staff will be “flexible and innovative” in supporting CACs in meeting their stated purpose. CACs are charged with receiving information about and making recommendations to the City Council on issues of neighborhood quality, existing or new public facilities, planning and zoning decisions, citizen involvement through neighborhoods and other matters related to City services or projects. The City established CACs in 1973 to give citizens a voice in City government, to educate citizens about City government and to serve as advisory groups to the City Council. There are 18 CACs geographically located throughout Raleigh. By virtue of their residency, every Raleigh citizen is a member of the CAC in their neighborhood or community;
- City staff will work with all the CACs and the Raleigh CAC, the overall body made up of officers of each of the 18 CACs, to increase membership. An action plan has been drawn up to bolster membership in the CACs;
- The City administration is recommending the development of criteria to use in establishing new boundaries for the CACs and the number of CACs needed;
- City staff will assist the CACs and the RCAC with drawing up meeting notifications, developing meeting agendas, securing space for meetings, working with all City departments, and managing City Council approved budget allocations;
- The City will enhance staff support to the CACs to help them operate more efficiently;
- City staff is recommending the RCAC strongly consider planning and implementing two City neighborhood programs -- the Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange and Neighborhood Month activities. It is suggested that the City Community Services Department’s proposed annual budget for neighborhood services be reviewed by the RCAC before it is submitted to the City administration;
- City staff is recommending a yearly allocation of at least $45,000 for the RCAC’s operating budget to pursue citywide issues of interest, with priorities set by the RCAC and approved by the City Council. In addition, is recommended that a minimum of $5,000 be budgeted annually for each of the CACs to pursue specific areas of interest. Each CAC would submit an annual work plan to the Community Services director; and,
- City staff is recommending a grants review committee composed of CAC and other neighborhood leaders be set up annually to recommend recipients of City neighborhood grants. The City Council makes the final selection. Other administrative changes also have been proposed for the grant program.
The City Council conducted a workshop on March 13 to discuss ways to improve the CACs and increase the involvement of citizens in City government. The proposed staff work plan is a continuation of the process.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Hardy Watkins
Community Services Director
Community Services Department
310 West Martin Street, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-831-6100
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