Council backs forming a small focus group to advance city branding work

Amanda Roberts, the city’s communications specialist, briefed the Committee of the Whole on a paused branding effort and recommended forming an eight‑member focus group — two council appointees, two residents, two business owners and staff — to help craft a cohesive brand and style guide. Roberts said the work of creating communication standards will happen regardless, and that establishing the standards in‑house would avoid the tens-of-thousands cost of hiring an outside consultant.

Roberts described steps already taken, including a staff workshop and preliminary design concepts, and asked the council to confirm interest in participating. Alderson Moss and several others expressed support; Moss emphasized that the focus group should help narrow competing voices so the council can rally behind a final recommendation. The mayor asked staff to coordinate selection and several alderpersons signaled willingness to serve or encouraged peers to volunteer. Roberts said the initial workshop phase would amount to a modest time commitment and that staff would return with a proposed roster and schedule.