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Raleigh planning staffer Jacob Hunt urges city to continue Civic Assembly
Summary
Jacob Hunt of the Raleigh Planning Department praised the Reflecting Raleigh Civic Assembly on its final day, saying it brings a representative cross-section of residents together to inform the city's next comprehensive plan and urged the city to sponsor the program again.
Jacob Hunt, with the Raleigh Planning Department, praised the Reflecting Raleigh Civic Assembly on its final day and urged the city to continue and expand the program as a way to gather resident input for the next comprehensive plan.
Hunt said the Civic Assembly is "a representative group of Raleigh residents that have come together to help us tackle topics that'll go into our next comprehensive plan." He described the group as "a great tool that brings together a wide selection of Raleigh residents" and said it generated "innovative and novel solutions to city problems."
Hunt introduced himself as a North Carolina native who has lived in West Raleigh for about six years and said civic duty and "a love of government communication" motivated his participation. "One of the best things that the Assembly has done is they've taken a group of people that really represent Raleigh, different ages, different income levels, where we all come together and decide what is best for all of us regardless of our backgrounds," he said.
He emphasized the need for more resident feedback in city planning. "Our city needs more feedback from residents," Hunt said, adding that the Assembly taught him a great deal about planning and the importance of "open-minded communication." He said the work matters for the future of Raleigh's children and urged the city to continue offering the program: "Thank you, City of Raleigh, for doing the Civic Assembly and please do more. It is a fabulous way to bring together citizens in the city and move forward."
The remarks were a personal endorsement of the Assembly's representative process; Hunt did not propose a specific expansion plan or provide details on funding or timelines. No formal motions or votes were recorded in the remarks, and Hunt's comments stood as a staff member's appeal for ongoing resident engagement in the planning process.
Hunt concluded by thanking the City of Raleigh for sponsoring the Assembly and by urging continued use of similar participatory processes as the city prepares its next comprehensive plan.
