2019-06-04 Committee on Citizen Engagement Minutes� •
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After determining thai a quorum was present, �he Committee on Citizen Engagement convened
in a meeting on June 4, 2019 at 10:32 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room at City I�all, 215
E. McKinney Street, I�enton, Texas.
PI�E�ENT: Council Ivlember I�eb Armintor, Council Member Gerard �Iudspeth (arrived at 10:43
a.m.), and Council IViember Keely Briggs.
STAFF PIZESENT: Sarah Kuechler, �Zyan Adams, Stephanie Yates, Amy Cunningham, Justin
Harmon, Sarah Fullwood.
OTHERS PIZESENT:
Ao Consnder ap�r°oval of �he m�nutes of Ap�°Il12, 2��9.
Council I�ember Armintor motioned, and Council Member �riggs seconded to approve the
minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
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commannflcations �°�r cap��aIl p�°ojects a�d i�n�`ras�ru��a�re.
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Staff provided general updates on the 2019 Mid-Year Construciion Guide, �ond Program,
Improving ][�enton websiie, GI� Map, Construction Guide for Fusinesses
Staff reported ihat �he Construction Ciuide is scheduled to hit mailboXes between the end of July and
early August.
Council Ivlember Arminior stated that she thinlcs the Construction Guide is great and empowers
people to ask questions. 5he suggested it would be helpful if �here was a way for people to sign
up for online updates about specific projects in addition to the (�uide.
I�yan Adams shared details about tools on the Improving Denton webpage that provide updates
on specific projects. �-Ie said the Public Affairs department can also e�plore email notificaiion
options as well. The department wi11 also determine whai is feasible on the City of Denton
website that could be leveraged to provide more updates.
Council Member �riggs expressed concern that residents may not know about Improving Denton
and the Construction Cluide. She asked if apar�ments receive the Guide in the mail, or if it only
goes to standalone residences.
Jus�in Harrrion said the Guide is sent out using the door-to-door di�ect method, which shauld
include apartmenis. He said he would coniirm whether or not this is the case and follow up with
more details.
Council Member �riggs asked what resources were available to help people find route detours.
Sarah Kuechler said the City shares information through the Waze app and does provide some
alternate routes. �he said that Public Affairs will explore an option with Laserfiche to share the
more detailed letters that are mailed out �o impacted residences for peopie who don't use the
V`Jaze app.
Ryan Adams said Public Affairs can explore adding more information to the improving Denton
webpage: IIe stated �hat texting alerts are also worth exploring, but ihe City doesn't currently have
the resources to implement texting alerts.
Council Member I�udspeth suggested that a printable format would be helpful to post onl�ine,
particularly a satellite view with routes drawn on it that people can download or print.
Council Iviember �riggs voiced support for this idea and said it would be a less wordy option. 5he
suggested adding a note that "not a11 construction projects are the City of Denton".
Sarah Kuechler said that 1'ublic Affairs could provide maps of that nature online through
Laserfiche or another portal, as it already exists in the detailed letters mailed to impacted
residences, and promote the Engage I�enton app and website a�ain to raise awareness of the
resource.
Council Member I--Iudspeth stated that we should remind people ihai I35 cons�ruction is one year
behind and that's a TxD(�T project.
�ond P�°ogram
lZyan Adams sta�ed that a webpage is setup for use if Council dvishes to ca11 for a bond election.
Council Member Briggs asked ii it is possible to have the names of the bond advisory committee
members listed on the webpage.
Justin Harmon said that the list is posted on another page and that a linlc can be added to the bond
election webpage.
Council I�ember Armintor suggested that it would be great if links to audio recordings of the
meeiings could also be posted on the page.
5arah I�uechler said ihat is not possible on this page, but �hai the recordings are availabie with
the City �ecretary and that Councii could choose to have the meetings filmed.
Council Member Arminior said people have aslced why some bond programs are not completed
yet. �he aslced that the City explain thai somewhere.
Sarah Kuechler said Public Affairs can add details on the bond webpages to give context on the
completion of projects.
Council Member �riggs said the City should give context on money spent versus projects
compieted.
Justin I�armon said the Construction Guide has some info on that a1so.
Sarah Kuechler said the new Guide wi11 also have an update.
Ryan Adams stated that the Improving I�enton site has also been updated. He said Public Affairs
is rolling out a Construciion Guide for businesses.
Council Ivlember l�rmintor asked that City Council coniact in%rmation also be provided on the
document so Council would know when people have questions and complaints.
Council Member �Iudspeih said two small I3TV projects could be to show pre- and post-
construction progress, such as the easemen� on Bell, and I�enton County �rewing Company
mentioned more foot traffic after the sidewalk was put in. �-Ie said those are two wins thai should
be highlighied.
GIS 1VIap �nd Waze
Ryan �ldams gave updates on ihe GIS map and �aze collaboration.
Council Member I�udspeth said he uses the GIS link quite a bit and it's great.
Sarah Kuechler expressed appreciation for all the feedback.
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Staff provided general updates on I�irect Project Notifications, �Ieeldy S�reet Construction
Report, Social Nledia Posts, DTV, Project Meeiing Coordination, Press I2eleases and Media
Alerts.
Sarah Kuechler reported ihat I'ublic Affairs st�ff has spent time helping with the cultural district
application.
In providing an update on Engage Denton, �arah said the number of requests has iracreased and
staff is trying to emphasize customer service and communication when keeping up �with the
volume of requesis.
Council Member �riggs said she thinlcs Engage I�enton has been really successful �nd that she
tries to promote it when she can. She asked if staff has been able to lceep up with the increase in
requests.
Sarah Kuechler said yes, and that some deparimenis find it really useful as a resource to track
requests.
Sarah Kuechler gave an update on Gas VJell Inspections and said a feature has been added thai
allows residents to request emails notifications on new gas well permits.
Sarah Kuechler said the City is working on a number of community events, and said IJTV also
did a video on the home repair program recently.
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VJith no iurther business, ihe meeting was adjourned ai 1 l:l� a.m.
The nexx committee meeiing will be held on '�`uesday, August 6, 2019 at 10:30 am.
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