During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed plans for community engagement and the ongoing renovation of a vacant building, which has been a point of concern for local residents. CEO Anderson Kelleher outlined the intention to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a community partner by late fall, aimed at co-creating and designing the space in collaboration with the community.

The meeting also highlighted the urgency of removing hazardous materials, specifically barbed wire, from the site. Council members expressed frustration over delays in cleanup efforts, noting that funding for the project was approved in December 2023. City staff assured that work has been ongoing, including internal renovations, and they aim to complete external improvements by the end of fall.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on demographic representation in community surveys. Council members requested a detailed breakdown of survey responses by racial and ethnic categories, emphasizing the need for accurate representation of community voices, particularly from marginalized groups. Staff acknowledged the limitations of public surveys, which often skew towards white respondents, and committed to providing the requested demographic data.

Additionally, the council addressed the role of Zen City, a contractor responsible for conducting the community engagement survey. Questions were raised regarding the selection process for Zen City and the scientific validity of their survey methods, with officials seeking clarity on how this contract aligns with previous agreements related to public perception surveying.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing community involvement in the redevelopment process while addressing safety concerns and ensuring diverse representation in feedback mechanisms.