A. It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the active public participation of community members to come together to deliberate and take action on public problems or issues that they themselves have defined as important is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the community.

B. The city and its municipal departments may use any process that meets the principles for citizen engagement, public participation and community collaboration set forth in SCC 2.100.040 in addition to notice and comment or public hearings required by law.

C. The city shall adopt and make publicly available a citizen engagement plan to guide the city’s use of participation strategies satisfying the principles for public participation set forth in SCC 2.100.040. [Ord. 2013-12 § 1, 12-10-2013; Res. 2013-31 Exh. A, 12-10-2013].