Recurrent Challenges

The Coalition for Collaborative Governance has identified three main categories of challenges we face

It is very important to note that we do not experience all of these challenges all of the time. Some projects, departments, and staff are more successful than others in relating to our community well. But our coalition has identified that these challenges occur repeatedly.

Our coalition is working on research and analysis to demonstrate and document these challenges. We believe this information will help the City identify problems and solutions within their operations.

Below are more details about recurrent difficulties our coalition members have experienced in our interactions with our local government.

Transparency

  • Accuracy of information publicly available

  • Biases in staff and/or consultants’ reports

  • Completeness of information disclosed to ​residents and/or Commission

  • Lack of ease accessing information

  • Lack of post-meeting documentation, such as minutes, follow-up items  

  • Lack of relevant data collection

  • Timeliness of information provided 

  • Unanswered ​resident questions and emails

Community Engagement

  • Bias in survey construction

  • Informational/non-collaborative community engagement events 

  • Lack of analysis of resident feedback

  • Lack of resident influence on advisory boards and committees

  • Lack of staff and/or Commission response to ​residents

  • Limited opportunities for public involvement

  • Not engaging all stakeholders

  • Not engaging stakeholders early enough to inform decision-making

  • ​​Resident feedback data not presented accurately or thoroughly

Accountability

  • Elected officials’ deference to staff recommendations in decision-making 

  • Lack of consistent meeting protocols

  • Lack of consistent policy and procedure implementation ​

  • Lack of fiscal responsibility

  • Lack of ​grievance process for resident complaints

  • Lack of staff follow up and/or follow through

  • Over-reliance on consultant opinions

  • Resident input not reflected in decision-making