Change Action Network March 11 Meeting Minutes

This is straight from Michelle, the coordinator.

At our last meeting, March 11, there was a lot of momentum and positive energy around being involved and increasing/encouraging resident/community participation in the City sponsored Bushmaster Park meetings which are scheduled for March 27 and April 10 (5:30-7:30pm) at the Aquaplex.

As such there were a lot of questions about these meetings including, 1) format, 2) accessibility, and 3) promotion. I have a few answers for you, am still waiting on some information to answer the rest, and I also have a new idea to introduce to the group as a form of policy action.

First, format:
The two meetings are designed to build on each other and it is suggested that participants come to both meetings if at all possible. As far as we know the first meeting will be a focus group format to discuss options for Bushmaster Park. It is our understanding that the City will then take the information from the first meeting and compile Action Plan which will then be worked on/introduced/discussed in the second public meeting on April 10.

We, Hermosa Vida, will provide Spanish translation and as HV and HV policy coalition would like to encourage as much participation in these meetings as possible to demonstrate to the City that we are Involved and Paying Attention to what happens with Bushmaster Park.

As a Policy Coalition, at our last meeting, we also decided that it would be in best interest of the group and community members who attend the March 27 meeting to move our next C.A.N. meeting up to April 1 (5:30pm in the SNA Conference Room) as a way to follow-up on the first meeting as soon after as possible. It is our hope to harness any momentum that comes out of this first meeting to positively affect the second meeting as well as support our coalition members and encourage further participation.

Second, accessibility:
The Aquaplex will have childcare available during both public meetings. The fees are $2/hr/first kid and $1.50/hr/other kids for kids 6 months-11 yrs old. Kids aged 12-17 yrs can use the facility on their own for $4. Hermosa Vida can provide a scholarship fund for any residents/community members that need childcare. I am still waiting to hear back from the Aquaplex on whether they can/will have bilingual staff available that night.

Third, promotion:
I have not yet heard from the City as to what their strategy for promotion is or gotten any materials from them to help promote these meetings. For now, we should just move forward with rounding up as much resident/community participation as possible and I will send any new information on to the group as it comes my way.

PLEASE work hard to get people to these meetings, as this is our way of showing the city that we support community engagement in the planning process and that residents are invested and want to have real and meaningful input into any new developments pertaining to Bushmaster Park.

Thanks,
Michelle Thomas