Gere outlined the plan at Monday night’s City Council meeting, saying she would use an ad hoc committee, along with a consultant, Makers, to learn the desires of residents. “I believe ad hoc committees marshal and channel expertise and insight available within the community, and to address issues of importance to complement the judgment of the City Council and professional staff.”
Gere said she’s be guided by goals of creating a collective vision of Anacortes’ future, engaging the community in a meaningful way, and taking action to achieve a shared vision.
A visual presentation Gere presented outlined the objective of the ad hoc committee:
- To utilize the wealth of experience, education and expertise of the Anacortes citizenry.
- To allow for active participation in the decisions; utilizing the best available data, analysis and decision making tools.
- Ensure interests of entire community are represented.
- Ensure the city’s economic viability, while protecting those things we hold dear.
The plan calls for the ad hoc committee to work with the city’s consultant to create future development alternatives while promoting citizen participation throughout the process. She said the purpose of creating a vision goes beyond the need to update the Comprehensive Plan. Action is needed to turn vision into reality.
The Mayor said the city’s consultant, Makers, has already completed interviews with all City Council members, Planning Commission members and met with some city department heads. They will meet with the remaining heads over the next few weeks. A preliminary summary of the interviews will be forthcoming, she said.