CDAD advocates for the City of Detroit to adopt and implement effective community engagement policies and practices

CDAD advocates for the City of Detroit to adopt and implement effective community engagement policies and practices so that community stakeholders are meaningfully informed and involved in all aspects of planning and decision-making. We played an instrumental role in the development of the Detroit’s Community Outreach Ordinance (COO summary). Council passed this ordinance in 2021. It specifies which City proposals, projects, initiatives, and activities are subject to the ordinance and what types of notice and outreach the City must provide. Some of CDAD’s recommendations were incorporated in the COO. We continue to advocate for notification within 1000 feet of a proposed project or development and other changes to the ordinance.

CDAD holds public officials and entities accountable and in full compliance with the Open Meetings Act. We have recommended ways in which the City of Detroit may enhance its public meetings, public comment opportunities, and public communications. This advocacy increased during the COVID 19 pandemic as the City relied more on virtual meetings and electronic communications.