Framework 2030 Engagement

Round 2 Engagement Results

Round 2 engagement ran through early April 2021 and gathered feedback on the draft regional vision and key strategies. See results and more information below.

Round 2 In-Person and Live Virtual Sessions

All of the in-person sessions had the the same format and content, as did the live virtual sessions. All in-person sessions followed COVID safety guidelines and masks were required. Feedback from in-person, virtual, and online engagement were combined and shared publicly in early 2021; see results above.

• March 15, 2021, 6:00-8:00 pm: Hosted by the City of Monticello for elected and appointed officials (live, virtual)
• November 9 2020, 7:00-8:00 pm: Hosted by the City of Big Lake and Big Lake Township. Big Lake City Hall Council Chambers, 160 Lake St N., Big Lake, 55309 (following the Economic Development Authority meeting).
• October 29 2020, 5:30-6:30 pm: Hosted by the City of Becker and Becker Township. Becker City Hall New and Old Council Chambers, 12060 Sherburne Ave SE, Becker, 55308.
• October 26 2020, 5:30-6:30 pm: Hosted by the City of Monticello. Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362 (before the City Council meeting).
• October 19 2020, 6:00-7:00 pm: Hosted by Monticello Township. Monticello Township Hall 8550 Edmonson Ave. NE, Monticello, MN 55362 (before the Township Board meeting).
• October 6 2020, 7-8 am: Hosted by the City of Monticello. Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362 (replaces the regular Industrial and Economic Development Committee meeting)

Project Engagement Phases, Timeline

Baseline Conditions and Trends Analysis — Engagement Round 1: Gather big-picture ideas about the future of the region through interactive, open-ended activities (spring-early summer 2020). Click here for final results.

Growth, Land Use and Economic Analysis — Engagement Round 2: Gather feedback on draft regional vision and key strategies that will drive actions for inclusion in the planning framework (mid-September 2020 through early April 2021). See the Round 2 Engagement Design for general information about online and health-conscious in-person sessions, and watch for details soon.

Action Planning — Engagement Round 3: Present the draft Framework including action plans, summer 2021. See Framework 2030 vision, strategies, and action plan here.

Engagement Design

Below is a summary of the Partnership’s key engagement priorities and efforts.

Core Values

The Partnership has adopted the Core Values of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2, www.iap2.org) for this project:

1. Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
2. Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision.
3. Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
4. Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
5. Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
6. Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
7. Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.

Engagement Objectives

In support of the regional planning project objectives, below is a summary of the engagement objectives:

• Provide stakeholders with information about regional planning, this project, how it is relevant to them, and how they can contribute: Explain regional planning and this project, help people understand the project’s relevance to them, and use the project to broaden perspectives about the region.
• Gather perspectives and ideas from key stakeholders throughout the region: Help participants think about what could be and what might be, ask about quality of life, what makes this region special, and what’s important to them.
• Ensure a transparent, inclusive, and intentional process that strengthens relationships and builds trust: Intentionally reach out to engage stakeholders, create opportunities for them to learn from each other, be transparent with content and process, build relationships and trust across the region.
• Use stakeholder contributions to shape plans and decisions: Use ideas as the project progresses to create new opportunities, keep everyone informed about how contributions are shaping plans, and help build understanding and consensus around regional common goals, priorities, and choices

Level of Engagement

The level of engagement for this project is Involve, with the following goal and promise:

• Overall engagement goal: To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered.
• Overall engagement promise to the public: We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision

Key Stakeholders

The Partnership members, staff, local partners, and the consultant team from Planning NEXT engaged a variety of stakeholders including elected officials throughout the planning region, businesses, active volunteers and recreation users, high school students, and others. Engagement was tied to the phases above, with methods tailored to each group and setting.