The following City of Austin website page encourages people to apply to be on the Comprehensive Plan Citizen's Advisory committee. Although the formal deadline is today (8/20/09) at 5PM - the web page says that applications will be accepted even after this deadline.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/compplan/-------More Info below this line-----------------
Contact: Stephanie Lee McDonald, Office of Council Member Sheryl Cole, (512) 974-6070 direct, (512) 350-7021 mobile
City Council Asks Community to Participate in Comprehensive Plan
Diverse Group of Committed Citizens Needed for Citizens Advisory Committee
City Council members are accepting applications for the City’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, a steering group of citizens to serve as champions, ambassadors, and guides for the long-range planning effort. The information sheet for applicants is available online
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/compplan/ and can also be picked up in person at 505 Barton Springs Road, 5th Floor, City Hall, and all Austin Public Libraries. Applications are requested by August 20, 2009.
Required by the City Charter, the Austin Tomorrow Plan, also known as the Comprehensive Plan serves as the guiding document for the future planning of the City. The document was adopted in 1979. The new plan will help the community plan into the next 25 years.
Council Member Chris Riley urges the community to get involved:
“The Citizen's Committee will play a vital role in making sure the Comprehensive Plan reflects our whole community's collective vision for our future. This is an historic opportunity, and I hope anyone interested will consider applying."
City Council will vote on creation, scope, and size of the Citizens Advisory Committee at the August 20, 2009 Council Meeting. Applicants are needed from areas throughout the entire city and also areas within the City’s ETJ. Members will also be asked to represent the diversity of the city with demographics including a range of education, household levels, race/ethnicity, and employment based on most recent Census figures.
"It is critical that this committee reflect and respect the diversity of our community. It will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the process to ensure everyone is at the table and all voices are being heard and properly understood," says Council Member Laura Morrison.
The proposed Citizen’s Advisory Committee will meet regularly for the duration of the planning and help shape the public participation process. Additional community input will be solicited further into the planning process.
“We are not only a city of neighborhoods, businesses, and streets; we are city of people with big dreams and a deep commitment to genuine quality of life. Our character as a city will be tested as we endeavor to create an equitable comprehensive vision. I am confident we will rise to the challenge, but we need citizens to serve as the ears of the community as we go through this process,” says Council Member Sheryl Cole.
