Local residents seeking a platform to voice their concerns about housing will have that chance at the upcoming Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners (HRA) meeting, which invites participants to engage both on the scene and through digital mediums. In a nod to accessibility and transparency, the HRA has announced that along with in-person attendance at the Council Chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, community members can submit comments or provide input on public hearing items either in writing or via voicemail until noon the day prior to the gathering.
For those who prefer writing their thoughts down, the official channel is the [email protected] email, or alternatively, speaking your mind is a simple phone call away at 651-266-6806, these statements and documents are then processed, they're attached to the public record for commissioners and citizens alike to review. Adding a layer of convenience and environmental thoughtfulness, HRA meetings have ditched the paper and instead, commissioners utilize mobile devices to sift through agenda files during the sessions, which, if printed, could span over a hundred pages, thus both saving trees and trimming budget expenses.
But if citizens can't make it to City Hall, they're not out of options to catch up with the civic narrative: the city offers multiple digital conduits for following HRA activities. Detailed within a notice available on the website, the City Council's online portal not only displays live meetings but also serves as an archive for agendas, minutes, and supporting documents, eager residents can subscribe for email notifications or web feeds (RSS) to get a regular feed of civic updates.
On the television front, St Paul's very own local channel 18 takes care of broadcasting the meetings live, as well as replaying them at assorted intervals. For those who missed the live action or want to experience the discussions once more are advised to check their local listings to catch the replays. It's a comprehensive package aiming for maximum inclusivity as the city looks to streamline communication between government officials and the people they represent, with the promise of keeping a finger on the pulse of community housing policy and development issues.
