Opening Plenary Session, Part 4 -- Planning in the Real World: Translating plans into action

Moderator: Mr. Matthew Click, Intergovernmental Programs Coordinator, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
Mr. Steve Seibert, Executive Director, Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida
Ms. Janet Watermeier, Vice-Chair, Florida Transportation Commission
Mr. Douglas J. Callaway, President, Floridians for Better Transportation -- Presentation

• Video Presentation (wmv file, 64.6 Mb)

Moderator Matthew Click provided opening remarks followed by the video presentation. He then introduced the panelists.

Viewpoints presented in the video

• Make sure all communications to the public are easily understood.
• Establish common vision, common goals. The best way of addressing local versus regional concerns is local entities working together to create “regional cooperation”.
• Must choose development carefully - use balanced transportation.
• Growth management involves managing the growth that we want and the growth that we don’t want. Plan and implement growth carefully – not just growth of any kind for the sake of growth.
• Definition of successful planning: continuity of plans (planning) over time, plans converted to action, and consensus on plan.

Opening comments of panelists

• Janet Watermeier: People have different perceptions on plans and planning with different interests: single focus, big picture focus, future oriented focus. Elected officials also have different interests, priorities, and constituents to satisfy.
• Doug Callaway: Talked about motivating people. We need to do two things as planners: 1) sell the truth and 2) offer hope. He offered seven simple suggestions -- (1) time is a precious commodity, (2) solutions are what Floridians demand, (3) common sense is what Floridians think is so lacking in government, (4) don’t talk about process. People don’t care about process – they care about outcomes, (5) talk about consumers – what they want, (6) Floridians want a balanced approach to transportation, and (7) Floridians want sincerity and simplicity. They don’t want complexity. They feel complexity is what politicians hide behind. Funding is the most important issue. Sell it (the Plan), be passionate. Use the "other" 3 P’s – power, passion, and purpose. The public has to sense passion – if they feel we don’t care then they won’t care. We need to simplify, to write and speak simply.
• Steve Seibert: Planning has become a mistrusted profession. There has been a “dumbing down” of the profession. If you say the proper words (quote laws, regulations, etc.) you have addressed the issue – WRONG!!! We need to have a vision, set priorities, have meaningful public conversation. Planning minutiae required by law has undermined real planning. We lack vision! The lack of vision is almost immoral! We also have no sense of urgency! We are supposed to plan for the future and do so with a sense of urgency or we will have a Florida by default!

How can planners maintain the passion required and have the vision required to keep things going in a shifting political environment?

• Janet Watermeier: Have a base plan that suits the current Governor’s or current needs and use that. Get it supported by Governor’s staff. Plan long term – get consensus, funding, and action for short term goals.
• Doug Callaway: Former Florida Transportation Secretary Ben Watts would tell Doug not to come to him and tell him politically what had to be done,but rather, what had to be done and he would handle the politics. We must avoid the attitude that if things are hard they are BAD. We need to "fix or adjust the sails to the current situation and keep sailing."
• Steve Seibert: Shared that a number of planners at DCA didn’t want to tell him the truth or what they thought. You are not doing your job if you are silent.

If you could improve one thing in growth management in transportation what would you improve?

• Steve Seibert: In emergency management problems were solved immediately during storms. Why don’t we do that normally? We need an Interagency Solutions Council (Transportation, DCA, Health, etc). We should take such a group, identify a significant issue and spend time solving it.
• Janet Watermeier: Agreed with Steve. Growth management and good environmental policies should be linked and integrated. Economic development should be added to the list.
• Doug Callaway: There is no such thing as “managing change.” We should emphasize “coordination” rather than “management.” Growth, development, and the environment should all be considered. We need more funding and soon. With more than 1000 people moving to Florida each day – we cannot proceed without a sense of urgency.
• Janet Watermeier: We cannot wait until we have all the money to solve everything.

How can local planners support regional plans without sacrificing locally?

• Janet Watermeier: We have to work regionally to be successful. Roads cross jurisdictions and you are likely to get more money if you can show this.
• Steve Seibert: People do not care about jurisdictional lines. It is a fallacy to think politicians don’t get any “juice” thinking regionally because they are elected locally. They can benefit from regionalism.

What is the Number 1 mistake we can make as planners?

• Doug Callaway: Talking about process rather than outcome.
• Janet Watermeier: Not using plain language.
• Steve Seibert: Failing to understand the pressures on people you are talking to.

How do you build consensus?

• Janet Watermeier: Build trust.
• Steve Seibert: Coordination is a necessity. It is ordered by Governor and agencies are supposed to coordinate.

___________________________________________

Documents provided in PDF format must be viewed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available from Adobe at no charge. Viewers can also convert PDF files to HTML format through the Adobe Web site. (A new browser window will be opened when you access these external links)