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City outlines new public‑engagement framework and online hub to boost participation
Summary
Director Cynthia Esparza presented a public‑engagement review recommending an IAP2 framework, a single online engagement hub, expanded formats (town halls, workshops) and targeted outreach to increase participation; staff will continue pilots and invite NAB feedback on tools.
Cynthia Esparza, director of community engagement and services, told the Neighborhood Advisory Board the city completed a public‑engagement review driven by surveys, focus groups and community meetings and recommended a structured framework to improve outreach.
Esparza said the outreach connected with more than 700 community members through 15 in‑person and virtual sessions and an online survey that produced roughly 358 responses. She recommended using the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) model — inform, consult, involve, collaborate, empower — as a consistent way for departments to match tactics to engagement goals.
"What public engagement is from this conversation is how do we get information from the public to influence a decision," Esparza said, summarizing the office’s approach. Staff proposed a single online hub to list active engagement efforts, timelines and how members of the public can comment or find status updates on large projects.
Board members questioned the sample size and how feedback would affect council decisions. Esparza acknowledged the sample was smaller than ideal and described pilots that tested new tools; she also committed to sharing templates that departments can use to shape NAB comments around legally relevant findings (for example, standard planning findings on traffic, water availability and compatibility).
Esparza said the department is also piloting improved accessibility measures, a new community email (community@reno.gov), and two vendor demos for an engagement hub. She asked NAB members to flag missing tools or outreach tactics as staff finalize the plan.
The NAB did not take a formal vote; members were invited to review proposed tools and advise on outreach strategies to broaden participation.
