City Council Agenda and Packet 2018 08 14 SP

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SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION — COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY DATE: AUGUST 14, 2018 PAGE 5 OF 7 Feedback was solicited from City staff who routinely handle communications for their department or division, as well. Staff identified the City's website and Community Update as the most effective tools for communication. Staff also suggested that the City focus on the City's website to improve communications and seek additional resources for communications and marketing staffing. CITY COMPARISON: In regards to staffing, the City of Louisville relies on a decentralized approach to manage its communications and engagement. Tasks are divided among the Assistant to the City Manager (.5 FTE), Cultural Arts/Events Coordinator (.25 FTE), Marketing Specialist for Recreation/Golf (.8 FTE) and Support Services Coordinator for Library/Museum (.5 FTE). There are several other positions across the organization that are also responsible for updating content and providing information to the communications staff to distribute. The following communities are similar in size to Louisville and have the following communications positions: • Golden (pop. 19,000) — 3 FTE (Communications Manager, Graphic Designer, Web Manager) • Lafayette (pop. 28,000) — 1 FTE (Public Information Officer) • Superior (pop. 13,000) — 2 FTE (Graphics Specialist, Event/Volunteer Supervisor) • Windsor (pop. 26,000) — 3 FTE (Communications Manager, Media Specialist, Communications Coordinator) Both the City of Boulder and Lafayette also recently explored potential improvements to their communications and engagement strategies. In 2016 Boulder formed a Public Participation Working Group (PPWG) that identified the need to improve public engagement. The PPWG recommended that Boulder change the culture of public engagement through new guidelines and platforms and utilize a comprehensive decision -making process. In 2018 Lafayette considered using an engagement platform like Engage Louisville instead of their existing NextDoor network. Staff recommended that Lafayette continue to use NextDoor since the platform already has 45% of Lafayette's households as members. Lafayette City Council decided to continue using NextDoor as the preferred social media method to engage citizens, with the exception of public hearings and quasi-judicial matters. POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS: After completing a review of City goals and existing tools, staff identified the following potential improvements that could enhance communications and engagement: CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 7