Littleton communications staff outline IAP2 engagement plan; board presses for earlier packet posting

John Harris, Littleton City’s new marketing and community engagement manager, and Matt Brown, a media-relations specialist, presented the city’s communications vision and the IAP2 public-participation framework to the Transportation Mobility Board, explaining how Littleton plans to match outreach methods to levels of public influence.

Harris said the department’s priorities include proactive notice about projects, improving trust and providing clear feedback loops. "Inform, consult, involve, collaborate and empower is the backbone of how we will map engagement to decision points," he said. Brown described using the bi-monthly Littleton Report, the Littleton Links e-newsletter and social media to reach residents and stressed the need for concise, creative messages: "In many cases you have 30 seconds or less to get the point across," Brown said.

Board members repeatedly urged the communications team to ensure full meeting packets are posted in advance, not just the agenda. Josh Stewart asked whether posting the packet is communications’ responsibility; staff said agendas are posted to meet Colorado requirements but packets sometimes arrive late from departments and may be posted retroactively. Staff said they will push departments and the city clerk’s office to reduce those delays and will work to clarify responsibilities.

Members also pressed for measurable engagement goals. Harris and Brown pointed to voter turnout and the city’s citizen survey as longer-term metrics and said the department plans to incorporate more objective engagement standards into future RFPs so consultants meet consistent expectations. Kenna, who coordinates school outreach, described monthly meetings with Littleton Public Schools and said new district communications and transportation directors (starting July 1) present opportunities for deeper collaboration on school-related outreach.

The board discussed tactical uses of social channels and in-person events (the "meet, greet and eat" series) to gather feedback; staff encouraged using those events for focused questions (for example, on sidewalks or transit) and promised follow-up on specific metric plans. The presentation concluded with an invitation to board members to provide ideas for quick engagement tactics they could deploy at community events.

The board did not vote on formal actions. The communications team said it will follow up with a more detailed metrics and posting plan.