Item Coversheet

REGULAR AGENDA: NEW BUSINESS  18.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Finance and Citywide Projects Committee Members


FROM:
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager


DATE: July 13, 2018


SUBJECT:DISCUSSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A COMMUNICATIONS BUDGET FOR THE CITY'S RESILIENCY PROGRAM

HISTORY:
Community outreach for large construction or infrastructure projects are handled through either an in-house public information specialist or a contracted communications agency.  The Office of Capital Improvements, handling the majority of these projects, has two in-house positions and manages the contracting to outside agencies.  Public Works also has one public information position. 

ANALYSIS:

Typically, after a project is in the design phase, the community outreach would begin.  As a project that is touched by many departments, our Resiliency Program has had a few public information specialists, contracted by Capital Improvements and all of the media, both national and international, have been handled by the Marketing and Communications team.  In addition to the local outreach efforts, our resiliency program has received international coverage, some accurate and some inaccurate. 

 

The team from ULI gave recommendations in their presentation, which included going big on the Rising Above brand. The creation of a budget that is dedicated to creating and disseminating educational information, both to our residents as well as the world, would help to combat negative press - both locally and nationally and positively affect other areas of the city such as tourism and property values. 

 

Following the recommendations from ULI, The program would focus heavily on proactive communications and building trust with our residents, businesses and visitors.  This would also help to create a cohesive message across all areas of the City. 

 



CONCLUSION:
This item is presented to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee for discussion and direction.