1 A COMMUNITY VIEW Ronnie Bush, Alderman, City of Freeport 1

2 Community Expectations Community expectations for this planning process were low due to: – Planning fatigue – Tensions around the legacy of racial discrimination and present day disparities – Confusion over enforcement roles – Unproductive expectations about future interactions – Discouragement over a long-standing lack of progress

3 Key Turning Points Needs Assessment allowed the process to directly address the concerns of residents and city staff. Outreach efforts and endorsement by key neighborhood leaders resulted in higher turnout. Endorsement and consistent participation by local elected officials gave the process legitimacy. Building Cultural Competence training opened the door for new conversations between city staff and residents.

4 Key Turning Points Meetings between SRI-facilitated working sessions helped build momentum. Neighborhood Flood Experience mapping validated residents concerns and created a new communication tool for interactions with state and federal agencies. Discussion of green infrastructure strategies helped identify near-term investments that could address flood impacts and offer additional neighborhood benefits. Elevator speech exercise helped develop a consensus message for neighborhood residents to deliver to FEMA.

5 Moving Forward Residents are preparing to meeting with FEMA in They hope to take FEMA representatives on a neighborhood tour and also present: – Comments on the revised FEMA flood maps – A history of impact of flood regulation on neighborhood decline – A request that FEMA representatives work with neighborhood residents and city staff to address the disproportionate impact of the 50% rule and to identify assistance for maintaining and improving neighborhood homes.