NEGAUNEE — The city of Negaunee is accepting applications for its new special advisory committee.

According to a Monday press release, the advisory committee will assist in identifying updates to the community public participation plan, recommend addendums or updates to the community Master Plan, and engage with residents and organizations in the community to create a shared vision for Negaunee’s future.

The team will be assisted by Community Heart and Soul, a nonprofit organization that focuses on using resident-driven approaches to foster community development. It focuses on identifying what residents love about where they live to create a community vision for the future.

According to its website, CHS “…a nonprofit organization, builds stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across the United States through the Community Heart and Soul model, a resident-driven process that engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.”

CHS employs a four-step process to engage with community members and help residents envision the best future for their city:

• Image: Teams are formed to build awareness, interest, and commitment in all segments of the community.

• Connect: Stories are gathered from residents, leading to the development of Heart & Soul Statements that identify what matters most and reflect what they love about their towns.

• Plan: Residents develop action plans to guide future community planning based on their Heart & Soul statements.

• Act: Statements are officially adopted by the city council, incorporated into comprehensive and other plans, and are used to guide future policies and decisions.

Heffron sought approval from the city council back at the May 8 council meeting to facilitate an agreement with Community Heart and Soul for the purpose of conducting a community project to be approved by the council. A budget and service agreement via a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant was approved at the June 12 meeting.

The committee will be made up of five individuals, including City Manager Nate Heffron and four members-at-large, who will be appointed by the city manager. Members must be a resident of the city of Negaunee and be at least 18 years of age or older.

Those interested in serving on the committee may contact the city utility billing office at 906-475-7700, ext. 17 or by obtaining an application at cityofnegaunee.com/city-manager/pages/board-appointment-process. Applications will be taken until Sept. 30.

More information about Community Heart and Soul can be found online at communityheartandsoul.org. Information about the grant agreement and previous documents from city council meetings are on the city of Negaunee’s website at cityofnegaunee.com/city-council/pages/council-packets.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.