Engagement Plan Overview

Goals of Community Engagement

The goal of the General Plan is to build a framework for maintaining and enhancing Ventura’s quality of life. This includes a balance of living, working, and shopping in Ventura. To achieve this goal, we will:

1. Inspire the community to share ideas in guiding Ventura’s future

2. Empower the public in supporting timely decisions

3. Enhance two-way engagement with the public, stakeholders, commissions, and council

4. Ensure clear and consistent messaging across the city

5. Deliver community-valued results

Who Should Get Involved?

In short, everyone! The General Plan is relevant to anyone who lives, works, shops, or spends time in our city. This includes but is not limited to:

• Residents

• Appointed and Elected Officials

• Business Owners

• Property Owners

• Employees Working in the City

Engagement Activities

The City will host many events and activities to engage Ventura residents and stakeholders. These activities will be designed to allow the public to participate in a way that is easy, user friendly, and accessible to everyone.  Some of the key activities that will occur throughout the process are:

• Project website with information and updates

• Safe, in-person and virtual public workshops and open houses, for citywide topics and individual neighborhoods

• Educational videos and events with guest speakers on specific topics of interest

• Community surveys

• Development of a General Plan Advisory Committee to help guide the process

• City Council, board and commission study sessions to share what the future could look like and gather feedback from decision-makers

How are we reaching all residents?

One of the greatest challenges of community engagement, especially now during COVID-19, is diversity and involvement from those who aren’t typically engaged in city planning efforts. This is especially true for low-income and minority households, homebound seniors, youth, and young parents. To achieve the greatest level of participation, the City of Ventura will:

• Ensure that all materials are bilingual for our residents who are not fluent in English and use guidelines from the California Web Accessibility standards for ADA compliance.

• Leverage digital communications channels to inform our residents throughout the process such as social media, electronic newsletters, and website.

• Partner with community groups including churches, community councils and not-for profit organizations to increase engagement and build relationships

• Attend meetings and public events and community events, either virtually or in-person to encourage participation.

• Distribute printed materials such as flyers, surveys and fact sheets to organizations serving different segments of the community at key locations such as food banks, supermarkets, unemployment offices and coffee shops.