City Council Agenda and Packet 2018 08 14 SP

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SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION — COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY DATE: AUGUST 14, 2018 PAGE 2 OF 7 • Focus on Existing/New Social Media — Staff can develop the City's online presence through existing and new social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Next Door) and develop strategic content for each audience. RESOURCES: In order to accomplish the tasks outlined in the strategy above, staff has requested additional resources in the 2019/2020 budget. This includes the following: $20,000 for website improvements; $40,000 for data reporting tool; $27,000 to increase the number of Community Update Newsletters; and $20,000 to develop a mobile application. Staff also requested a Communications Coordinator starting in 2019. Additional staff is needed for communications to improve coordination among departments, increase the number of newsletters, create and distribute e-newsletters, manage content for a mobile application, develop existing and new social media, design marketing materials and outreach campaigns and market a few special events for the local business community. Staff currently does not have capacity for these tasks. Staff reached out to other municipalities for further information about staffing (in addition to background provided below) and learned that Golden has 2 additional part-time employees that assist with communications and Windsor hires an intern for 10 hours per week during fall/spring semester. Superior also contracts work (i.e. press releases, marketing videos) to a third party. Erie reported that their financial transparency portal required staff time to set up but is not time-consuming to maintain. Lafayette reported that a portion of City communications for special events (i.e. Oatmeal Festival, 4th of July) are managed by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The City contracts with the Chamber to host and advertise these events. The Chamber also sends a weekly email blast, mails a monthly newsletter and posts to social media about local businesses and upcoming events. City staff handles communications for Art Night Out and the Annual Summer Concert. BACKGROUND: According to the City's Communications Plan, it is important to maintain the flow of communication between the City and citizens so that elected officials and staff can make informed decisions that reflect the opinions of the community. The City aims to engage residents and business owners and encourage them to effectively become a part of the decision -making process. The Communications Plan identifies a number of goals for the City's communication efforts, including: • Provide citizens with complete, accurate and timely information, enabling them to participate in the City's decision -making process. • Encourage two-way informational flow that acknowledges the value of citizen input. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 4