A map showing the breakdown of neighbourhoods set to host town hall meetings starting in October. (Photo via City of Kamloops)
Kamloops council has approved the new town hall pilot project that will feature six hybrid meetings, starting in October.
Councillor Dale Bass – who is on the so-called community engagement select committee – says the City has been divided into six areas – north, northwest, the core, southeast, and two in the southwest – each comprising between 14 and 22 per cent of the total population.
“The plan is for monthly however we realize nobody wants to do anything in December so staff has been asked to sort of schedule it around so they’re not quite monthly,” Bass said during the Aug. 29 council meeting.
“Maybe its going to be later in November and earlier in January, but we’re going to ignore December.”
At this time, its not clear where each of these neighbourhood-focused meetings will be held, though those details will be released in due course.
Each meeting will begin with a presentation of City Council’s strategic plan followed by an informal World Café group discussion which would be organized based on Council’s four strategic priorities.
“It’s a hybrid model which is kind of what I vision back in February,” Bass said, on NL Mornings. “We’re going to start, as we always do, with the tables, and we explain the strategic plan but then we’re coming together as a group for an open mic.”
Residents can go to any in-person meeting of their choice, though Bass notes there will also be a seventh live virtual meeting held in the spring.
“You know point out things that they’re concerned about and staff will take it back and if there are things they can should start working on right away, they will,” Bass said. “Otherwise, they’ll hold it off.”
As its a pilot project, city staff will be gathering feedback to determine how successful the meetings were. They note metrics could include attendance, the quantity and quality of feedback, an exit survey for attendees, and feedback on Let’s Talk Kamloops.
All input and feedback gathered at each meeting will be compiled and presented back to the Community Engagement Select Committee. It will also be posted online.
