Members of the CIPC are also tasked with 1) establishing mechanisms <br />for providing effective communication between citizens and elected <br />officials; 2) involving citizens in all phases of the planning process; 3) <br />assuring that policy information is available in simplified and <br />understandable forms, and; 4) seeing that the CIPC recommendations be <br />retained and made available for public assessment. <br />Oregon law also requires that “adequate human, financial and <br />informational resources” be allocated for the citizen involvement <br />program. <br />A review of public records will show that none of these requirements was <br />met. <br />The core requirement of the CIPC is to analyze how well the needs of the <br />community are being met and to present an annual report to the Board <br />of Commissioners on citizen participation that includes suggestions for <br />improvement. A review of public records will show that none of these <br />requirements was met, either. <br />I should point out that Land Management Division staff’s 2013-14 <br />annual report to the board does not meet these requirements. <br />Goal 1 also tells us what we should be doing, including: 1) stimulating <br />citizen involvement using available media; 2) inviting educational <br />institutions interested in land use planning to provide information on <br />land use planning to citizens, and; 3) ensuring that members of the CIPC <br />receive notice of their opportunity to serve, that they are officially <br />notified on their selection and that the CIPC appointments are well <br />publicized. A review of public records will show that none of these <br />guidelines was implemented. <br />On April 19, the Board of Commissioners is scheduled to review the <br />Planning Commission’s annual report. At a minimum, and as required <br />by law, the report will present an analysis of how well our communities’ <br />needs are being met and will provide suggestions for improvement. <br />If the report includes these requirements, the board should vote to <br />approve the plan. <br />5 <br /> <br />