2020.11.09 Council Agenda Item 5

Please note: The draft Community Survey 1 was revised on Monday, November 9 to include two questions that were oversights on the previous draft. 

This project was last discussed by the Council on October 26, 2020 (item 5).

The purpose of this agenda item is to provide regular project updates. Even though no Council action is anticipated, public comment will be taken.

Background

In 2019 the Town Council expressed strong interest in updating the 2013 Comprehensive Plan to lay a solid basis for any future land use decisions. Prior to commencing this work, the Council decided to first undertake a robust public process to identify the Town’s “vision and values” to help inform the comprehensive plan update process. The Town has engaged consultant Future iQ to assist with this effort.

The four phases of work from Future iQ are:

• Phase 1 - Project Background Research (September-December 2020)
  • Initial planning and schedule
  • Background Research/key data review
  • Benchmark Report (This report will provide an up-to-date community profile in conjunction with nationwide community comparisons across common dimensions)
• Phase 2 - Future Scenario speculation including focus groups and Think-Tank (October 2020 - March 2021)
  • Community Survey
  • Data visualization platform
  • Future Driver virtual focus groups 
  • Falmouth Future Think-Tank
  • Scenarios of the Future Report
• Phase 3 - Broader Community Engagement (March -May 2021)
  • Community vision engagement sessions
  • Vision survey, data collection and analysis
  • Future Summit
• Phase 4 - Final Report (May-June 2021)
  • Draft and finalize Falmouth Community Vision and Values Statement Report
  • Presentation of the Falmouth Community Vision and Values Statement Report

Community Outreach

A project web portal was launched on October 16, 2020 providing initial community input opportunities. Messages announcing this portal have been distributed through various Town communication channels.

Outreach has been conducted to various community organizations in Falmouth to make them aware of this project and encourage participation in the upcoming community survey. In addition, a postcard will be mailed to all Falmouth households announcing the community survey.

Community Survey

The project portal has been taking survey question suggestions from the public (“What key questions do you think should be included in the Community Survey?”). As of November 4, 2020, 8:39 AM, 106 comments were contributed.

Future iQ has reviewed these suggestions and prepared a draft Falmouth survey instrument for review at the November 9, 2020 Council meeting.  

Current Schedule (note: this is subject to change)

• November 9, 2020:
  • Town Council meeting - public comment on final draft survey questions
• November-December 2020: 
  • Community Survey open to the public (runs for 4 weeks)
• November-December 2020: 
  • Virtual Future Driver Focus groups held 
• December 2020:
  • Pause - reassessment point #1
• January 2021
  • Falmouth Future Think Tank held (virtual or in person)

The summary of the project, the consultant's scope of work, and the draft community survey, prepared by Future iQ are attached.