Roundtable Session Room 1A17/1A18

IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: YOU’RE THE PLANNER!

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION APA NEW YORK-MAY 8, 2017

IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: YOU’RE THE PLANNER CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION

Aimee E. Nassif, AICP Chief Planning and Development Officer Olathe, Kansas

Mara M. Perry, AICP Director of Planning and Development Webster Groves, Missouri

Bigger liar Hides information Doesn’t care about the

community Or anyone other than herself Makes stupid decisions

Mara Perry

Liar No ethics Take bribes from developers Doesn’t care Will get fired Incompetent

Aimee Nassif

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

What no one warned you about

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Make a positive impact on people’s lives Help shape communities Promote healthy, active lifestyles Improve quality of life Be a voice to those that don’t have one Create economic opportunities

WHY WE WANTED TO BECOME PLANNERS

Who are our competitors? What do they do? What do they bring to the table?

WHY WE WANTED TO BECOME PLANNERS

What Happened?!

YOUR FIRST PLANNING JOB

AND STRANGE THINGS START HAPPENING

PEOPLE ARE UPSET WITH YOU

Photo credits: KMOV St. Louis; John Fitzhugh SunHerald

COMMUNITY DEVELOPER SUPERVISOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS ELECTED OFFICIALS

EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME

You are taking bribes from the

developer!

You are horrible and should be

fired!

You are hiding information

from the public!

I am a taxpayer. You work for me

and I’ll talk to you any way I

want!

You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at

us don’t you!

You don’t care about the

residents, only yourself!

I am a taxpayer. You work for me

and I’ll talk to you any way I

want!

EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME

You are taking bribes from the

developer!

You are horrible and should be

fired!

You are hiding information

from the public!

You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at

us don’t you!

You don’t care about the

residents, only yourself!

You said you’d approve my

project!

You never told me about

these requirements!

You are going to kill

development here!

I am a taxpayer. You work for me

and I’ll talk to you any way I

want!

EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME

You are taking bribes from the

developer!

You are horrible and should be

fired!

You are hiding information

from the public!

You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at

us don’t you!

You don’t care about the

residents, only yourself!

You said you’d approve my

project!

You never told me about

these requirements!

You are going to kill

development here!

You need to approve this

its good for the City

Why are you stopping

progress?

IT CAN AND WILL OCCUR AT THE

SAME TIME

HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE IT ALL?

WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME?

11 TOOLS TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT

ALL

11. EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN

11. EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN

10. KEEP YOUR COOL

9. LISTEN

An answer isn’t always necessary. Sometimes people just want to be heard. The answers may not make them happy. • Are you listening to them? • Do they need to be directed to another

department or agency? • Should they write a letter or e-mail? • Should they discuss their issue at a meeting? Listen to your elected official and supervisor. You will pick up ques, wants, desires of the City before a possibly controversial issue or project comes in.

8. TALK ABOUT IT

Communicate with other staff so that the right message continues to get out. Mixed messages can kill progress you have made. Communicate with your supervisor, boards/commissions or elected officials depending upon your position. Find your support by keeping them involved and informed. No surprises for your boss!

7. DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

Sometimes the answer is “I know this wasn’t what you wanted to hear” • Don’t try to always defend yourself. • Don’t try to respond to all the horrible

things stated or written. • Statements said in frustration can come

back to haunt you.

You will just get sucked into it. Fear of the unknown drives comments about issues or projects that can be very personal.

6. ANTICIPATE NEEDS

Being a planner requires a bit of mind reading. • Think ahead to the concerns that you as a

resident might be feeling if you were in their situation.

• Think about what questions may be asked by commissioners or elected officials in a meeting • What may be a concern? • What you should focus on with your

review? • What do members usually feel is not

addressed?

5. YOU ARE NOT A PUNCHING BAG

If you are being threatened, yelled at, or cursed at, walk away or in some cases hang up. Sometimes we stand there and try to calm people down. That can make it worse.

4. BE PREPARED

With all eyes on you, it is more important than ever to be prepared with your written documents and presentations.

• Confirm the facts of the situation

or request • Know all the regulations • Have copies of the citations • Flush out all possible alternatives

3. BE CONFIDENT

It is easy to start questioning your decision and your talents when people are pulling at you, especially at a public meeting. • Remember why you made the

decision you did • Be open to comments and feedback • Understand that you may change

your mind with new information provided

Do not stop believing in yourself and your skills.

2. REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED THIS JOURNEY

You know you have good intentions, morals, ethics and are a good person. You became a planner to help people and help communities.

1. GO HOME

Go home and relax. Spend time with your family and friends who actually do know you and don’t believe the stuff they may hear or read. Have fun and keep your hobbies. Take a break from all media related to work.

ANY OTHER IDEAS YOU WANT TO

SHARE?

Urban planning Public policy Architecture Land use law Zoning Development reviews Comprehensive planning Public engagement

Skills they give you in school

SKILLS YOU NEED

Be a juggler Be a good listener Be a mind reader Be a liaison Be a teacher Be a puzzle solver Be a mediator

Skills they don’t give you in school

Urban planning Public policy Architecture Land use law Zoning Development reviews Comprehensive planning Public engagement

Skills they give you in school

SKILLS YOU NEED

Why its all worth it

THERE’S GOOD STUFF HERE

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Putting it all together. WRAP UP

Putting it all together.

YOU

Your manager

QUESTIONS?????

THANK YOU

AIMEE E. NASSIF, AICP

CHIEF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

OLATHE, KANSAS

AENASSIF@OLATHEKS.ORG

MARA M. PERRY, AICP

DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI

PERRYM@WEBSTERGROVES.ORG