Free ‘Community by Design’ workshop offered to North Kansas City; committee to pick September date

Brandy, a committee member who said she works in violence-prevention work in Missouri and Kansas, presented a free "Community by Design" workshop the group can offer to neighborhoods in North Kansas City. She told the committee the training is available at no cost and can be adapted for different group sizes and formats.

Brandy said the program focuses on small built-environment changes and neighbor-to-neighbor connection to improve safety and community cohesion: practical steps include adjusting bench design, murals on electrical boxes, improving visibility and wayfinding, and fostering stronger neighbor relationships. "Community connectedness in a nutshell," she said, describing the approach.

Members discussed timing, format and logistics. Brandy recommended a four-hour workshop (examples range from one hour to a full day), described that her team can present for groups of 40–100 (and had trained rooms of up to 100), and offered to set up registration links and promotional materials. The committee discussed holding the workshop in September, with proposed dates Sept. 12 or Sept. 26 and possible venues including the Parks & Rec building (capacity cited as up to 100 seated) or the Y as a backup. Brandy said she would return at the next agenda with a finalized date after confirming space and team availability.

The committee agreed to ask staff to post a registration link and to include workshop details on the city calendar if the date is confirmed. Brandy and her team will coordinate flyer and sign-up logistics; members discussed offering food for attendees and scheduling a Saturday session to maximize participation.

The committee did not take a formal vote; Brandy will propose final dates at the next meeting and staff will assist with outreach and registration.