The Process

  1. The broad framework for the process of determining the uses of the Trust and Settlement funds should be announced by the Mayor soon after an agreement between Indiana Michigan Power and the City of Fort Wayne has been reached and presented to the public.
  2. The Mayor of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne City Council have the authority to direct the uses of the Fort Wayne Community Trust funds, but the Mayor should lead the process and invite and ensure a collaborative role for City Council.
  3. The Mayor should establish the Legacy Fort Wayne Task Force to oversee the process of determining the recommended uses for the Trust and Settlement funds. The Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity and make its recommendations to the Mayor. A group of 15 diverse community members should be appointed to this body. The Mayor will appoint 13 members including the two co-chairs and two members of Fort Wayne City Council. The City Council selections will then appoint two additional members from the community at large. The work of the Task Force should be guided by the overarching principles. The process, along with all Task Force meetings, should be open to the public.
  4. The Community Engagement component of the process should include a variety of communications and outreach methods, both traditional and digital. The public involvement component will be integrated with the work of the Task Force. A general outline for this component includes:
    • Community Forums (Citywide brainstorming sessions should be held supported by extensive publicity and outreach, and conducted with specific ground rules. These forums will represent the start of the Community Engagement phase and will be used to gather wide-ranging, initial input from the public. A short opening presentation is advised to give attendees a sense of history, context and benefits received from the Trust funds to date. Broadcast possibilities for these events should also be explored.);
    • Digital Outreach and Input Gathering, in concert with the Community Forums;
    • Presentation of a Preliminary Data Report;
    • Focus Groups, Interviews and Online/City Utilities' Inserts/Other Surveys and Interaction (These could be used to refine options and concentrate choices as the process moves forward); and
    • A Final Report of Findings to be presented to the Task Force and to the Mayor (This could be done in a public setting).
  5. The timeline for the Community Engagement component of the process will be determined in part by the timing of the Indiana Michigan Power and City of Fort Wayne City Light Lease Settlement announcement and its placement during the calendar year. The approval process for the Settlement Agreement will also have a bearing on it. The community participation effort, however, can occur during the Settlement approval process. Ideally, to maintain momentum and public interest, start to finish the process should last no longer than four to five months.

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