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City of Lincoln Urban Development Department Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable Meeting Summary: January 2007

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Open Forum with Mayor Coleen J. Seng
3. Purpose of today's meeting
4. Historical Perspectives
5. Discussion
6. Future Direction
7. Next Steps
8. Adjourn

The regular meeting of the Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable was called to order by Mayor Coleen J. Seng, at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, January 11, 2007, in the Mayor's Conference Room, second floor of the County/City Building, Lincoln, Nebraska. Thirty-four participants were in attendance.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Mayor Coleen J. Seng, thanked everyone for coming and opened the meeting with introductions. She announced the City’s annual Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration will be held Sunday, February 11, 2007, 12:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Southwest High School, 7001 South 14th Street.

PURPOSE OF TODAY’S MEETING
Mayor Seng explained neighborhood representatives were invited to this special meeting of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable (“Roundtable”) to discuss what they feel the purpose, goals, and format of the group should be. Attendance at the Roundtable had been decreasing over the last year. The resignation of the Chair in November, 2006, provided an opportunity to evaluate and “retool” the Roundtable.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Mayor Seng provided a historical overview of the Roundtable, which began with Mayor Roland Luedtke in 1984. Coleen was involved with the University Place Community Organization, and was elected as the first Chair of the Roundtable. The meetings for Neighborhood Representatives and the Mayor were informal and provided an opportunity for sharing ideas and information among neighborhoods.

DISCUSSION
The Mayor asked participants to discuss what they feel the future direction of the Roundtable should be.

Fred Freytag commented that he felt it was important for the Roundtable to continue to provide a communication link between neighborhoods and City Government, as well as networking and information sharing opportunities for the Neighborhood Associations. Ed Patterson added that the group looks at issues that cross neighborhood borders, and affect the entire City. Bill Vocasek agreed, and felt that guidelines need to be implemented to prevent individuals from monopolizing the meeting, and to ensure fair and courteous behavior.

Ginny Wright said she supports continuing the Roundtable, as it is essential for good government to have communication with the community. The Roundtable helps develop relationships between the neighborhoods and City Government. What drives people to choose a community to live in are Quality of Life indicators.

Ginny Wilcox noted that she represents the Lincoln Tri-Court Neighborhood, whose are residents of mobile home communities, she would like to find ways that they work with City Government and Neighborhoods to improve quality of life for residents of her neighborhood, which has unique issues.

Barbara Cornelius suggested moving the time of the meeting starts to 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. to make it more accessible to working volunteers to attend. There was some discussion that the meeting should not start later than 5:30 p.m. to prevent conflict with evening meetings.

The group discussed electing a Chair, or having Mayor Seng serve as Chair. Rick Noyes suggested UCIP serving as a coordinator for Lincoln Neighborhood Associations. The Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance was also suggested as a coordinating entity.

Discussion of agenda topics included: graffiti, LES and buried power lines, fiber optics and telecommunications, Health Department Information (Noise Study), Neighborhood Cleanups, Neighborhood Design Standards, sidewalks, abandoned houses and troubled properties, Problem Resolution Team update, commercial property standards, Chief Casady of the Police Department and issues affecting neighborhoods and meet with LPD Team Captains; Emergency Planning and Training for Neighborhoods, Great Neighborhoods Training, and other resources available for neighborhoods. There was discussion of having one main topic each month, or two-three topics each month.

There was discussion of the format of the Roundtable, with a number of participants indicating they prefer the conference table or “Roundtable” format with the Mayor present to improve conversation. It was suggested that “delegates” be selected by their Neighborhood Associations to attend, and visitors could observe from seating away from the table, with possibly allowing 10-15 minutes at the end of meetings for questions and answers from visitors. It was also suggested to allow a 15-20 minute networking time at the end of meetings for Neighborhood representatives to visit with each other.

FUTURE DIRECTION
The participants agreed through consensus, to continue holding Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, to start at 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., to move the location to the Mayor’s Conference Room, to have one or two main agenda topics.

The group will continue to discuss guidelines, electing a Chair for the Roundtable, and if “delegates” will be invited, or if it will be an open meeting for the general public.

NEXT STEPS
The next meeting of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable is scheduled for February 8, 2007, 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room, City County Building, 555 N. 10th Street.

The agenda topics will include graffetti, information about the Big Event, and Neighborhood Cleanups.

ADJOURN
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Diana Cruz,
Urban Development Department

Urban Development Community Development Division Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable

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