Assembly work session hears pitch to pilot "Better Public Meetings" project in Anchorage

Assembly Member Aaron Baldwin Day introduced a request at a July 25 Anchorage Assembly work session for the body to consider supporting a year-long, grant-funded pilot of the Better Public Meetings project led by the National Civic League and local partners.

The project team — including Nick Balos of the National Civic League, Ariana Belizzi of the Federation of Community Councils and Jesse Lavoie (project partner) — told the assembly the effort is intended to expand who participates in municipal decision-making by combining a community survey, a "civic scorecard" (a short public-meeting feedback form), and community-led pilot events such as facilitated deliberations and participatory theater.

"We can build better trust between elected officials and city staff with community by better processes," said Nick Balos, who described the National Civic League's prior work in Boulder, Colo.; Mesa, Ariz.; and Fayetteville, N.C. The project is funded by a grant that will cover the National Civic League's participation, the presenters said.

Why it matters: organizers said Anchorage's existing community council network and active civic culture create an opportunity to test new meeting formats and…