HomeMy WebLinkAboutYakima Welcoming City workDispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties
Proposal to Yakima City Council, Public Safety Committee
Convene community conversations to gather input on Yakima City resolution regarding Sanctuary City/Welcoming City status
The Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties (DRC) has been in existence serving the conflict resolution needs of area residents, businesses and agencies since 1993.
Primarily this work is in the areas of mediation, facilitation and training.
The DRC would like to propose a process to gather community input on an issue that has inspired considerable passion and energy on the part of many city residents, that of the city council
passing a resolution on Yakima being a Sanctuary City/Welcoming City.
We envision using a small group conversation model where DRC facilitators would guide tables of 6-8 community residents in having conversation on the topic.
These table conversations would use a circle process which includes each participant reflecting on 3-4 questions and then sharing their perspective and thoughts. Each table would then
identify common themes and suggestions and record those to share with the assembled group. During the sharing time a representative from each table would share those common themes.
The facilitated meetings (possibly, one per voting district) would give everyone equal voice to share their perspective. There would not be a centralized focus for comments, the presence
of which may promote those with the most strident viewpoints dominating the input.
The Dispute Resolution Center would utilize DRC mediators and, potentially, other trained facilitators in the community, to convene these meetings and guide the input process.
We envision the meetings being held in public settings in the evening in each of the seven City of Yakima voting Districts over the course of three to four weeks. Participants at each
of these meetings would generate common themes and ideas.
A follow up city wide meeting would take place to integrate the input from the initial meetings into one document to then share with the city council at a follow up meeting. This meeting
might also include a facilitated circle process (with circles of people smaller than 50 in each group) so that everyone’s input on the final document could be gathered.
The final report would then be presented to the city council at one of their regularly scheduled meetings.
The DRC is eager to assist in this manner if the city council determines it would be helpful. In order for the DRC to undertake this effort, it would need to have funding to make it
possible. The anticipated costs for the DRC’s Facilitation Services are outlined below. Possible other costs are noted as well.
Planning & report writing cost to conduct the meetings, $100 per hour. Capped at 8 hours.
Cost to facilitate each initial 2 hour meeting: $450 if fewer than 50 people, $550 if over 50 people. $225 for every hour longer than 2 hours if fewer than 50 people participate, $275
per hour if over 50 people. (Could reduce total cost by having fewer meetings, e.g. inviting two districts’ residents to each meeting.) People would be welcome to come to any of the
meetings whose timing worked for them if they couldn’t attend the one in their area. Attendance at more than one event by the same individuals would be discouraged.
Same hourly cost, depending on size of crowd, for synthesis meeting and meeting to present results to the city council.
Sample DRC billing cost
3 initial meetings (2 hours long) with fewer than 50 people: $1,350
4 initial meetings (3 hours long) with more than 50 people: $3,300
1 synthesis meeting (3 hours long) with more than 50 people: $ 825
1 meeting (one hour long) to present to city council: $ 225
7 hours of planning and report writing: $ 700
Total cost for DRC’s work: $6,400
Other potential costs:
Facilities: Usage costs at meeting sites
Food: Snacks or simple meal for attendees
Advertising: Notice about meetings in traditional media outlets
We are willing to work with the Yakima City staff to request funding to underwrite this work from likely interested organizations and funders.
City Council Training Opportunity
The Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties regularly offers Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills for the Workplace training in our two county service area.
We also conduct customized trainings for specific groups on topics they would find helpful.
With the level of public engagement around hot topics in our political sphere increasing, and the toll the level of contention can take on Council members (and between them), a workshop
incorporating some of the skills we touch on during these workplace trainings may be of value. The cost per hour for 6-10 people being trained would be $235 per hour. We would be
happy to work with the council to design a time limited training that would meet your needs.
Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties
303 East D Street, Suite 4
Yakima, WA 98901
Sarah Augustine, Executive Director
(509) 453-8949
www.drcyakima.org
info@drcyakima.org