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Equitable and Inclusive Civic Practices: Proposed new chapter in the plan
This topic is a proposed addition to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, to be included in the updated Bellingham Plan. Feedback from the public in 2023 and 2024 has identified several topics related to civic practices.
Accessible and Equitable Services and Processes
Outreach and Engagement
Government to Government and Tribal Relations
While parts of these topics exist in the 2016 plan, their importance has only increased in recent outreach responses. They work together to define the City's role in working with and serving the community.
What changes will happen in the Bellingham Plan?
You will see a new chapter in the draft Bellingham Plan material representing this topic. It will include the following:
1) A consolidation of existing goals and policies from the 2016 Comprehensive Plan that relate to civic practices and are still relevant. For example, we have a number of existing policies about public participation that will move to this new chapter.
2) New policies that reflect feedback we are hearing about this topic. For example, we want the Bellingham Plan to reflect the values and priorities of the community with regard to our Government to Government and Tribal Relations.
3) New policies that reflect work the City is already doing. An example would be programming to support conversations about equity and inclusion.
The topic of civic practices was touched on at our initial “Community Vision” session as we explored how the community envisioned their engagement with the City. We dove into the topic in much greater detail at the “Vibrant, Equitable, and Welcoming Community” event, which included ways the City can be more welcoming.
Equitable and Inclusive Civic Practices: Proposed new chapter in the plan
This topic is a proposed addition to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, to be included in the updated Bellingham Plan. Feedback from the public in 2023 and 2024 has identified several topics related to civic practices.
Accessible and Equitable Services and Processes
Outreach and Engagement
Government to Government and Tribal Relations
While parts of these topics exist in the 2016 plan, their importance has only increased in recent outreach responses. They work together to define the City's role in working with and serving the community.
What changes will happen in the Bellingham Plan?
You will see a new chapter in the draft Bellingham Plan material representing this topic. It will include the following:
1) A consolidation of existing goals and policies from the 2016 Comprehensive Plan that relate to civic practices and are still relevant. For example, we have a number of existing policies about public participation that will move to this new chapter.
2) New policies that reflect feedback we are hearing about this topic. For example, we want the Bellingham Plan to reflect the values and priorities of the community with regard to our Government to Government and Tribal Relations.
3) New policies that reflect work the City is already doing. An example would be programming to support conversations about equity and inclusion.
The topic of civic practices was touched on at our initial “Community Vision” session as we explored how the community envisioned their engagement with the City. We dove into the topic in much greater detail at the “Vibrant, Equitable, and Welcoming Community” event, which included ways the City can be more welcoming.
