Red Deer’s first Community Engagement Group will be formed this spring to provide input on updating the city’s Environmental Master Plan.
“It’s an exciting time,” said Coun. Ken Johnston, who felt the new process will be a “recipe for success.”
City staff have always consulted the public at open houses, forums, and workshops.
But this is the first time a specific group is being pulled together of interested citizens for a 10-12 month term — with the goal of helping updating the city’s plan for the environment.
Julia Harvie-Shemko, communication director, said the engagement group will have a specific mandate, unlike some public advisory committees, whose members have been unclear on their purpose.
The group will have a chair and a facilitator, to stimulate “deep dialogue and discussion” on what the plan should look like going into the future, she added.
Information on how interested citizens can apply to join the Community Engagement Group will be available on the city’s website in a few weeks.