HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 193-25 - Resolution - Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings
A RESOLUTION OF THE ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR IN SUPPORT
OF AND COMMITTING TO THE “DEMOCRACY INNOVATIONS FOR BETTER
PUBLIC MEETINGS” PROJECT
WHEREAS, Rochester recognizes the valuable impact of Co-Design and wishes to find
additional ways to meaningfully engage a broad spectrum of community input; and
WHEREAS, Rochester staff recently attended a training focused on civic engagement as
part of good governance and seeks to expand meaningful local participation from the full
spectrum of residents within the municipality; and
WHEREAS, Rochester’s elected officials are committed to increasing and improving civic
engagement; and
WHEREAS, this project, spearheaded by the National Civic League’s Democracy
Innovations incubator, focuses on developing and innovating structures for better civic
engagement and public meetings, extending successful work previously undertaken in
Boulder, CO, Mesa, AZ, and Fayetteville, NC; and
WHEREAS, National Civic League has acquired a grant from AAA-ICDR Foundation to
bring the “Better Public Meetings” project to a few U.S. cities in 2025; and
WHEREAS, the “Better Public Meetings” process is an iterative collaboration designed to
involve local staff, officials, stakeholders, and residents, starting with a working group to
inform research, public meeting evaluation, community reporting, and the design of
recommendations for improvements; and
WHEREAS, the project may incorporate a participatory theater component in partnership
with Perfect City, using performances to foster empathy and solidarity among participants
by inhabiting diverse perspectives; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of Rochester’s population and geographic size is a strength in
the culture of the community but offers challenges to increasing civic engagement and
may require specific tailored initiatives to achieve any goals; and
WHEREAS, a critical element for the selection of Rochester for this project is the interest
and committed participation and engagement from city representatives, particularly
elected officials, as without their involvement, the process cannot be successful; and
WHEREAS, the Rochester City Council recognizes this as a valuable opportunity for the
community to explore a diverse set of ways to connect with residents and encourage their
participation in local government; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project schedule in Rochester spans 12 months, including a
Civic Infrastructure Scan, community-wide survey, Scorecard implementation, public
meetings, facilitator training, mapping processes, piloting of new strategies and tools, and
the release and implementation of recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Rochester City Council and Mayor that it
strongly supports the “Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings” project in
Rochester and commits to:
1. Activity participate in the deployment and utilization of the Civic Engagement
Scorecard at meetings of the Rochester City Council and community councils.
2. Facilitate the organization of a cross-sector team to collaborate effectively with
the National Civic League on this project.
3. Give serious consideration to all recommendations and innovations that emerge
through the project, aiming to improve official public meetings and other
interactions with residents.
4. Engage collaboratively through the proposed 12-month project schedule,
participating in research, public meetings, piloting strategies, and implementing
recommendations to foster more inclusive and effective public engagement with
the Municipality of Rochester.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council and Mayor of the City
of Rochester, Minnesota, support and commit to the “Democracy Innovations for Better
Public Meetings” Project and is hereby approved.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2025.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2025.
___________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)