Raleigh is looking for 40 people to take part in its Civic Assembly, giving feedback to shape its improved bus service.
The Assembly is a part of 'Reflecting Raleigh,' the multi-year journey the city is taking to write its next Comprehensive Plan.
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Participants will be asked to learn, discuss, and make recommendations on this remit:
Raleigh is in the process of improving bus service around the city. How should the next Comprehensive Plan help improve access to the new service? What should the neighborhoods served by frequent bus service look like?Remit approved by Raleigh City Council
In return for their time on six Saturdays in January and February, the city will pay participants $1,000, provide child care, translators and refreshments.
"I think this is just an opportunity for us to make sure that we're hearing in depth from a broad section of the city," said Jacob Hunt, a senior planner with the city's Planning and Development Department. "That's part of the $1,000. It's to make sure providing that feedback isn't financially burdensome for anybody."
How are participants picked?
The city of Raleigh is mailing 9,000 notices, and will hand distribute 1,000 others to people who do not have a permanent address.
The recipients were randomly selected. From that group, the city will choose 40 people to take part in the Civic Assembly.
Raleigh hired a contractor to help them select the final group. They will use the Panelot system's Civic Lottery to choose people who reflect Raleigh's demographics. It will be looking at age, race, neighborhood and background.
"We just want to make sure that with Reflecting Raleigh, that this section of it can be something that isn't, put out by staff, but is put out essentially by residents," said Hunt.
Anyone 16 and older can be a part of the Assembly, as long as they received an invitation.
Time commitment
To participate in the Civic Assembly, you have to be able to attend all six scheduled sessions.
The sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 10, 24 and 31, and February 7, 21 and 28.
Hunt said the time needed for the process is a driving reason behind the decision to pay.
"The reason behind that $1,000 is to make sure that the folks that come and can be part of the Assembly can afford to be," said Hunt. "We know it's a pretty big commitment to ask for six Saturdays from people."
I got a mailer, what now?
If you live in Raleigh and got a letter from the Planning and Development Department, reach out.
They will be selecting members from the pool of people who contact them saying they are able to make the commitment.
Hunt said even if someone is not sure about the opportunity, they can reach out and have questions answered.
"We're just hoping it kind of opens up a new type of dialog with residents," said Hunt.
The city recommends letter recipients respond as soon as possible, though applicants will be accepted through mid-December.
They are also holding two virtual information sessions for anyone with questions, one on November 13 and one on November 17.