2.21.010 Office of community affairs – Establishment, purposes and duties.
There is hereby established a separate and independent office of neighborhoods and community affairs, which shall be directed by the community affairs director. The purpose and duties of this office are to maintain existing, and help create new, means of communication with citizens, and to help ensure their timely and meaningful participation in all aspects of city visioning, strategic planning, goal setting and the provision of city programs and services. The office’s activities, programs and services shall be in three categories: city-wide outreach, neighborhood programs, and demographic diversity. The office shall work closely with neighborhoods, community, educational, and social organizations and groups, and it shall conduct the following:
A. City-Wide Outreach. The office shall conduct, based upon available funding, but not be limited to:
1. Events. Encourage, support, help develop and implement, and sponsor, when appropriate, city-wide, neighborhood and community events.
2. Improving Communication. Continuing and strengthening communication with citizens, businesses, and neighborhoods about city programs, services and activities, and directing volunteer and other involvement opportunities, by coordinating the dissemination of information, including with other city departments, through a variety of means, including a city newsletter and responding to citizen inquiries.
3. Soliciting Citizens for Boards and Commissions. Actively assist city departments in recruiting persons for city boards and commissions, and in volunteer and other ad hoc roles and capacities throughout the city.
4. City-Wide Surveys. Participate in periodic scientifically valid city-wide citizen surveys on issues, concerns, and suggestions of citizens, including an opportunity for citizens and other stakeholders to express their ideas and opinions about:
a. Activities, programs, or services which should be reduced or eliminated, and those which should be new or expanded; and
b. The performance level of all city departments’ and offices’ activities, programs or services.
5. Lynnwood University. A citizens’ academy designed to acquaint and educate concerned citizens and community leaders about all aspects of city operations, programs, services, activities and volunteer and other direct involvement opportunities.
6. Citizen’s Handbook. A guide for citizen residents to understand Lynnwood city government.
7. Residential Business Handbook. A guide for new and existing local businesses to understand Lynnwood city government.
B. Neighborhood Programs. The office shall conduct, based upon available funding, but not be limited to:
1. Neighborhood Enhancement. The office is authorized to conduct grant programs for the following three purposes:
a. Neighborhood Matching Grants. To support projects and activities organized by residents that bring neighbors together, enhance and beautify neighborhoods, encourage civic engagement, and promote the general interest, health and well-being of our Lynnwood community.
b. Human Services Grants. To improve the well-being of Lynnwood residents by investing in programs and services that promote self-sufficiency and independence to build stronger children, families, and community.
c. Festival Fund Grants. To provide public support for community festivals and celebrations in Lynnwood. Community festivals are those that benefit the entire community, and have a broad-based appeal, such as festivals, parades and special events.
2. Neighborhood Liaisons. A program of elected officials and staff willing to serve as liaisons to specific neighborhoods to improve communication, host neighborhood meetings, and develop trust.
3. Neighbor Connections. A program designed to engage multifamily residents in activities to build connections with, and a stronger sense of, community.
4. Neighborhood Summit. An annual city-wide conference designed to encourage open discussion of neighborhood issues and collaborative city/neighborhood problem solving.
C. Demographic Diversity. The office shall conduct, based upon available funding, but not be limited to:
1. City Demographic Trends. Monitor demographic trends in our city and identify and recommend to the mayor and city council ways to encourage mutual understanding among our citizens about the increasing demographic diversity of our city;
2. Community Networking. Connecting and partnering with neighborhood, community, educational, business, and social service groups and organizations;
3. Events. Sponsoring city-wide, neighborhood and community events, which would include opportunities for heritage and cultural events; and
4. Learning Projects. Programs for engaging citizens and community leaders in dialogues, education and training about diversity issues. (Ord. 2749 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2602 § 1, 2005)