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Council discusses ways to broaden 'conversation with a councilor' outreach and sets retreat planning
Summary
Councillors reviewed the 'conversation with a councilor' program, which has drawn small attendance. They discussed outreach methods (HOAs, tenant meetings, tabling at community events) and tentatively scheduled an April 10 working retreat to focus on growth management, school liaison ideas and communications.
Councilors reviewed the performance of their 'conversation with a councilor' outreach events, saying turnout has typically been small (three to six people). Members proposed a range of outreach strategies to broaden participation: attending HOA meetings, partnering with Champlain Housing Trust, hosting neighborhood invitational meetings, tabling at community events such as Illuminate Vermont, and rotating venues (library, schools, City Center) to meet residents where they already gather.
Members also discussed converting the retreat slot into a working-session format and tentatively scheduled a policy retreat for April 10 starting around 10:00 a.m. The retreat will focus on growth management, school liaison ideas and other topics councilors suggested at the meeting; staff will circulate a draft agenda and solicit council input ahead of the session.
Councilors agreed that continuing the 'conversation' program has symbolic importance even if turnout is variable, but stressed experimenting with new formats to reach different constituencies.
