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Staff reports summer outreach reached repeat attendees; communications plan in development
Summary
City community engagement staff said they participated in 13 city-related events over the summer, highlighted tactics that drove attendance (lawn signs, door-knocking, ice-cream coupons) and said they are drafting a living communications plan to support council goals on trust and outreach.
Howard, a city staff member in community engagement, briefed the council on summer outreach, saying he took part in 13 city-related events and that the program helped staff meet residents and build connections. Howard said a subset of six ice-cream-social events attracted 220 attendees (excluding city staff and their families), averaging about 37 people per event.
Howard identified three marketing tactics that yielded measurable results: lawn signs and A-frames, door-knocking, and handout ice-cream coupons that brought attendees back to subsequent events. He credited multiple departments and community partners for contributing signs and staff time and thanked Melanie for guidance on ideas and execution.
Councilors praised the outreach. Councilor Ken commended Howard’s enthusiasm and called the parade a “huge success.” Councilor O'Rourke asked about planned fall activities; Howard said staff are arranging presentations by the city manager on the pool and parks levy to community groups including the Chamber, Rotary and the Senior Center, and organizing a wastewater treatment plant tour for Rotary. Howard said he will use the summer learnings to build a communications plan that the city can update over time.
No formal council action was taken; the item was an informational update and staff will proceed with the communications plan and schedule outreach events.
