City announces two April open houses for comprehensive plan; commission gives outreach feedback

Planning Department staff told the commission that the first public open houses for Verona’s comprehensive plan update will be held April 22 with two sessions to reach different populations: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Verona Senior Center and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Verona Public Library. Staff said the events will display findings to date (data analysis, survey results and past plans), include activity stations, and offer kid-friendly activities to encourage family attendance.

Commissioners provided feedback focused on outreach and messaging. Alder Posey asked how the events are being promoted; staff said outreach is via social media, the city newsletter, the city website and coverage in the Verona Press. Commissioners suggested additional outreach tactics: targeted outreach to apartment management and homeowners associations, use of partner social-media pages (police, library, others) and clearer call-to-action language in printed materials so recipients know why they should attend. Commissioner Powers pointed out that two URLs in the printed material redirected to the same place and asked staff to ensure links point to the intended pages (website versus survey). Several commissioners suggested a more specific “why attend” message and targeting communications by neighborhood or affected area to draw people who are most likely to be impacted.

Staff said they will consider a mailer and will follow up on distribution lists, and commissioners offered to share targeted leads after the meeting. No decisions were required; the update was informational.