Communications coordinator reports growth in social engagement, podcast and new tools

Sabrejewel, Monmouth’s communications coordinator, briefed the City Council on July 15 about outreach work, audience metrics and new tools the city is deploying to reach residents. Sabrejewel said she manages or monitors multiple social platforms daily and that the city newsletter reaches more than 1,800 subscribers with a growing click rate. Instagram reach and interactions increased, and LinkedIn has been effective for recruiting. The city podcast has more than 1,600 downloads and listeners across five continents, 16 countries and 33 states, she said. On technology, Sabrejewel said the city received a drone grant that covered test training and contributed toward a drone purchase; staff have used the drone for rapid roof inspection and to produce photos and video for public outreach. She also praised a newly installed hearing loop in council chambers, saying it improved participation for some audience members. Sabrejewel described emergency-communications work and her role as a regional representative for the Oregon Peace Officers Association’s PIO branch. She said she wants to expand PIO training, build an intranet for staff communications and implement audience-engagement tools such as polling clickers at town halls. No formal council action was requested. Sabrejewel asked that councilors continue to amplify city posts and suggested city staff will keep developing podcast content and video features linked to local arts, the trolley and other services.