Urban Jacksonville

Its built, we just need some leadership on this. You could just use the experiencejax with a different name for public meetings. Make it mandatory. If there was one place to easily see noticed meetings how could anyone dispute if something was noticed? How much would we save in print and disputes that notice was given?

Then record meetings where possible and post video or transcripts to that page (ej should do this too). An intern could do it on their phone. There is no need to be scared of it. It is not costly nor intrusive (in this case to) obey the law and let the sunshine and the people of Duval in. Could you imagine the change in the behavior of how city business happens if you could review a public meeting with a quick search. When talking about it with Joey I mentioned that google should be doing this as a public service especially with an unprecendented push for governmental transparency.

crap I have to run! #UJW

Yes. Blackboard provides this - notices, updates, etc. I neglected to include all the bells and whistles. Not implying this suggestion is the appropriate technology . . . the concept could be appropriate and easy for voices going in many directions and in seeming o real conflict.

Disputes are costly - yes siree! Ironically, they are now one sort of growth engine.

Disputes and concerns impact many existing resources well beyond any $$ figure, time required to: answer and direct or re-direct, intellectual energy, mental concern, and the administrative stuff that accompanies all this. Niceties and hand-holding cost $$ too.

www.policytree.org did not do well.
Perhaps Google can redress.

In the meantime, a hyperlocal venue would be a happy medium.

Joey - get movin' Bud!

Technology enjoys minute distance between "There and Now" - "Then and Here" - whatever/whichever, anyone can create a tagline.

Should interns (of any sort) be conducting official business that could positively impact AND/OR jeopardize the quality of information?

I don't know.

Regarding increased quality and quantity of information to thereby strengthen relationships with elected officials, public agencies, et. al.:

Some elected officials have one job. Many have two - one private (their "day" job) and one public: pretty low pay and way more demanding.

Those employed by divisions, departments, and public agencies are barraged by not only the demands of their positions, but the public at large. (see "Yahoo Quotient").

Further, many (e.g., Planning & Development, Department of Public Works, JEA, JTA) employees not only have heavy schedules but are also in attendance and/or guiding an ever-increasing number of sessions far beyond 5:30 - an exhaustive workload!

For freshman and sophomores in Digital Age - circa 2009, some technology can be immensely time consuming until attaining competence AND the assignation of a time allotment as part of daily rhythm.

So - what to do? I'm no expert but I can think of some ideas that could assist with outreach, education, engagement, synergy . . .

RSS is great.
Twitter can be cryptic.

Other suggestions above have excellent, high-quality, high-quantity potential. Go Guys Go! Do It Up!

Maybe worth considering:

Each Council Member' Assistant (FT job and decent pay) could provide a weekly broadcast via email to both up-and-coming information sources and to email lists. Part and parcel of weekly responsibilities. Something along the lines of a newsletter, or using technology as referenced above . . .

- Currently working on . . .
- Currently interested in . . .
- I want to but I can't control this . . .
- Here's how I would like funding work in my district and WHY . . .
- Need help? Call or write . . .

Department/Division Chiefs/Directors could provide information relative to projects in the pipeline - timely disclosure would be nice. Answer the phone ( ! ) and require staff return phone calls/respond to emails. Novelty? For some. The Expectation of the General Public? Definitely. Simple stuff.

The above should/could/would contain content that is real information. Information that offers:
education (I've been blessed with this for years - it helps!)
awareness
insight; and,
will sew together neighborhoods and the community as a whole. Not everyone is right, wrong, or will agree. This is not news. Learn and apply.

Neither of these suggestions are cool or glitzy; sometimes basics are a good place to begin.

Lots of things are done in this city that have TONS of thought and effort and planning. Lots of other things - not so much if any at all. Still, attempted communication is better than lack of communication.

Another "basic"idea is to utilize "Blackboard technology. Sign on. Read what the leader of that forum has to say. Go to the links (e.g., muni-code). Say what you want. See what comes back. Keep "talking." If you want to scream, leave.

Each division or department or agency could have this as "their" part of one system. The cool thing is, as part of consolidated government, all entities would all be interconnected and interactive.

Parting thought:

Many within Duval County's public sector are required by job description, law, and sometimes ethics to keep certain pieces of information confidential. This is a hot button I know. I am not suggesting that inappropriate lack of transparency remain the Order of the Day. I do however, have to consider that many investment deals require Confidentiality Agreements upfront and for pretty good reasons. This is not unique to Jacksonville; people with money to spend do not always want The World "in on" their business. Human nature. More transparency is needed ! ! ! Absolutely! Complete transparency? I am not convinced.

Given the current climate, I may sound as though I need a whack or two to bring me 'round. I am sure someone reading this will question my sanity and tell me so.

In the interest of fairness, I cannot forget or dismiss that my Requests for Confidentiality have always been honored. Always. I have been grateful and will remain so - I never skirted the law nor asked that of anyone else. However, my job got done, got done well, got done quickly (lots less expensive) . . . all results were viewed as beneficiary and still are. Time is money and COJ saved me bundles.

I don't think you need a whack or two... You have some great points. There are always confidentiality issues that will crop up, particularly when the city is in contract negotiations, etc. However, the public at large will be much more inclined to trust public officials to "do the right thing" when open communication leads to a renewed faith in local government.

I'd like a website for public notice announcements, planning sessions, council meetings, town hall's, etc. A clearing house and broadcasting platform for announcements from the city to the public.

Tony and I talked about this a while back and I think this would be a good thing for the city to implement. Set it up with RSS so we can subscribe to updates.

An example from Streetsblog: Tonight: Weigh In on What’s Next for Park Circle Improvements

I would like to see city officials and members of the administration who agree with us step out from behind the governmental curtain. Let us know that you support the ideals of the people and you want to fight with us to make this city better.

To stop mindless expansion. To conserve resources. To support mass transit. To build affordable housing. To revive our historic neighborhoods.

I find it hard to believe that the only person from City Hall reading this blog is the Mayor's Chief of Staff. I would like City Hall to partner with us. Inform us on how to work with the city to get things done.

Maybe I'm naive to think that all our cities problems can be solved with by smart people with a good plan, backed by strong leadership. Is the city too big, the political machine too bloated to steer?

Sometimes I look around the country and I feel like Jacksonville is moving in slow motion. Then, when our new council president ignores mass transit questions and talks about building more roads, I feel like we are moving backwards.

We are entering a phase in the life of Jacksonville where we have an opportunity to change the course. I think now is the perfect time to start the discussion.

I agree Joey. After spending the last week in Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville and Nashville, it is clear that we are falling behind with issues like mass transit and urban revitalization. It is time for city leaders who believe in these things to step from behind the curtain.

A couple of things...First of all, it is a two-way street. Dave is correct in that. However, my question is "How are the City Council members asking?" Are they only holding town hall meetings that are held at times inconvenient to the average working voter? Are they only visiting churches as candidates running for office? What about the overwhelming number of voters who don't attend church on a regular basis and would never see them? Those are the types of questions I would like to see candidates/politicians ask. How to engage voters in the process. Let's set aside how it's been done in the past and explore new methods.

Secondly, I think it's great that JTA officials are engaged in a particular local form, but why couldn't they host some type of a forum on their site? That would be the first place people would likely look for information. (People who are not necessarily engaged in the more activist process that many of us are.)

I intended this to be a constructive type process that gave additional suggestions for steps are local government could be taking to reach out to people...let's keep the ideas coming.

Abel, I mentioned MJ because this is a place where many of these professionals are already participating and giving valuable insight on the transportation issues and questions now being raised at UJ. So I'm just raising awareness that they are engaged, which was not suggested up to that point. This way, those who aren't activist who don't know will now know.

Nevertheless, I agree with you and would love to see JTA improve the level of interaction between them and the public on their websites. With that said, JTA is only one component of Jacksonville's transportation planning network. There is also room for improvement with the FDOT, North Florida TPO and City of Jacksonville, all of which also have their hands in the transportation cookie jar and their own separate websites.

I'd like for communication and trust to extend into other layers of the city organization, like JTA. They are stepping in the right direction with appearances at the transit chat and on Urban Jacksonville Weekly later this month.

I'd like to see some JTA officials engage and keep the community up to date on transit issues in the city. JEDC to engage and keep the community up to date on development issues in the city.

All city departments should look into these new communications tools, similar to what the Mayor's office is doing.

Thanks for setting me straight on that Lake. I don't frequent the Metro Jacksonville boards so I was unaware of that contribution.

To be fair, JTA has had decent representation on the Metro Jacksonville forums for a few years now. Several FDOT, North Florida TPO and other transit planning professionals also participate in the MJ transit discussions on a regular basis. Without their help, knowledge and insight there would be BRT on Adams Street and no commuter rail or streetcar plans in the city's future.

My hope is that our governmental entities attempt to work together more than they have in the past. This area seems to be one of the largest problems that we need to overcome.

It's a two-way street - When City Council members, or candidates, for that matter, ask, does anyone respond? How many people actually pay attention to politics at any level, especially local? If more people would get involved, instead of simply complaining, elected officials would listen. When I say "get involved," I don't mean simply voting every few years, either - I mean getting to know the candidates, maybe spending a few hours volunteering for or making a small donation to the candidate of your choice.

As long as the voters can't be bothered, our elected officials will be more concerned with what the so-called special interests want than with what the people want.

Great post. The Mayor's Office has long had emails on line for convenient viewing. Both Mayor and key staff have sent and received emails available. And we're now on facebook, twitter and a couple of the blogs. However, we are mere novices and we're looking to Jax pros to help us develop more robust uses of the medium. Look forward to watching this discussion evolve and move us forward.

Council Meetings scheduled at an hour when working citizens could regularly attend would be nice.
The current Council times seem intended to discourage public involvement.