Charter commission approves outreach framework and partner letter, sets rules for public input

The commission's outreach subcommittee presented a three-part outreach strategy — partnerships, public-facing content (short videos and ads), and district listening-session design — and asked the full commission to authorize the subcommittee to finalize materials.

After extended discussion about turnout, meeting design and legal constraints under open-meetings law, the commission voted on several items: it rejected an amendment to postpone all neighborhood sessions until fall but then approved a motion to move the first district session to no later than the second week of November. Commissioners approved the outreach framework and delegated authority to the outreach subcommittee to work with staff on final questions and facilitator materials, provided commissioners may submit input by email.

The commission also approved the text of a "Dear community partner" letter to recruit organizations to host and promote sessions, and voted to require that public input submitted through the commission's web form not be anonymous (the city's standard practice). Staff clarified allowable outreach expenditures under the commission's budget (ad space, venue rental, food for shared attendees, and polling/surveys); staff said procurement of stenography for official district sessions will be handled through the City Clerk.

Communications staff said short informational videos and radio spots are planned; commissioners asked for sample scripts and talking points before release and discussed rotating commissioner participation for interviews and PSAs.

What happens next: The outreach subcommittee will finalize facilitator agendas and outreach copy, staff will prepare web forms and communications assets, and district listening sessions will be scheduled with the first meeting to occur no later than the second week of November.