Title
Discussion/Consideration - City Councilmember Communication and Citizen Engagement Tool
Body
Issue/Request:
Discussion/Consideration - City Councilmember Communication and Citizen Engagement Tool
Key Issues:
A request has been received to assist Councilmembers with tools by which Councilmembers can communicate with and engage their constituency. An option that staff has identified that may be ideal is to create a portal on the City's website, where constituents may subscribe to receive communication and information from a Councilmember(s). Prior to creating such a tool or "portal", staff felt it would be beneficial to discuss first with the Communications Task Force to develop a recommendation for the full City Council to consider prior to developing and implementing such a tool.
Background:
In the past, Councilmembers may have generated and shared information with their constituents through e-mail or other avenues such as Councilmember newsletters. Councilmembers may also choose to hold District informational meetings inviting constituents to district meetings to share City news. A tool that could be implemented would be to develop a portal on the City's website where constituents could subscribe to receive information from City Councilmembers. Implementing such a tool would provide Councilmembers with an avenue to create an effective and efficient communication and constituent engagement option to utilize if they so choose.
If such a tool were created and implemented, disclaimer language would be incorporated indicating the information is the views and opinions of the individual Councilmember and not that of the Mayor and Council as a governing body or of the City's. The disclaimer language would need to be incorporated on the communication transmitted to the subscribed constituents.
Presenter
Presenter: Mark Dunning, Assistant City Manager, Development Services & Communications