Oregon City staff proposes monthly Trail News tabloid to replace quarterly mailing; commission broadly supportive
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Summary
Communications staff proposed replacing the quarterly Trail News mailing with an eight‑page monthly tabloid-format newsletter targeted to city limits and businesses, aiming to improve timeliness and reduce countywide mailing expense. Commissioners supported piloting the change with a February launch and coordinating a separate Parks & Rec guide.
Staff presented a demo of a monthly, tabloid‑style Trail News to replace the current quarterly publication, saying the aim is to deliver timelier city department updates and reduce mailings outside the city limits.
The communications presenter noted Trail News currently reaches roughly 97,045 addresses using Rural Route mail methods and that a targeted city‑limits mailing would reach about 17,000 addresses (including businesses). The proposed change would pair a monthly city newsletter with a separate Parks & Rec mailer (seasonal) and reserve a featured partner spot each month for organizations the city funds or works with.
"Trail news continues to be the most popular way for residents to get information but they had also expressed desire to get information monthly," the presenter said, describing a plan to include department timeliness and a neighborhood association calendar section that could reduce the need for separate postcards.
Commissioners expressed general support, asked operational questions about timing and PO boxes, and suggested a pilot start in February (after the holidays). Staff said the change could reduce postage costs, save staff time on postcard coordination, and allow more efficient neighborhood notices and partner highlights.
Next steps: staff to refine mailing lists, coordinate with Parks & Rec on the seasonal guide, and plan a February pilot for the monthly format; the commission endorsed the concept at the work session.