In February, 2020 the City Manager created the Neighborhood Affairs Division (“NAD”) with the purpose of increasing the quality and consistency of communications within our community, but also increasing the level of collaboration between city departments — ensuring that our residents are fully informed and educated on everything they need and may want to know.  Since the creation of the NAD team, they have worked to create best standards for keeping the community informed about projects and impacts to neighborhoods. 

Currently, the assigned neighborhood affairs division team member speaks with the Homeowner Association (“HOA”) groups in their assigned areas regularly. Some HOA groups are more active than others and meetings are held with them almost biweekly. Other HOA group that are less active hold monthly meetings, which staff attend, and send email updates as needed. All HOA presidents receive twice-a-week email updates.  Additionally, when HOA groups are planning meetings, the NAD team member for that area will assist with any coordination needed including ensuring that the correct city staff are present to assist in making sure that all updates that are needed for agenda items are able to be given. 

Additionally, residents are able to stay informed on projects by signing up for automatic email updates when a keyword is mentioned on any commission or committee agenda through the MB Resident Connect portal and are also able to stay informed on anything that triggers a notice by signing up for the Resident Right to Know messages.  Both are available at www.mbresidentconnect.com.  

Understanding the importance of keeping our residents informed, the Neighborhood Affairs Division has created a plan to better keep residents informed on projects.  The following tools and guidelines have recently been created and are being implemented by the team:

·       As part of the City Manager’s objectives, the NAD hosts quarterly meetings with our Neighborhood and HOA groups. 

·       Due to the COVID-19 response, we had to reprioritize resources and canceled the last meeting. 

·       We are working with the Manager’s office to host the next HOA/Neighborhood meeting in November.

·       The NAD is working with MBPD to host community update meetings.

·       The NAD works closely with every department that requires outreach and assists to host public meetings.

·       The new NAD portal has multiple points to be able to contact staff directly. 

·       The NAD Team works closely with HOA groups to provide city resources and helps coordinate staff for updates at Neighborhood meetings. 

·       We are going to continue to schedule virtual meetings since we have had more participation.