2019-08-06 Committee on Citizen Engagement MinutesCOMMITTEE ON CITIZEN
ENGAGEMENT MINUTES
August 6, 2019
After determining that a quorum was present, the Cammittee on Citizen Engagement canvened
in a meeting on August 6, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room at City Hall, 215
E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas.
PRESENT: Council Member Keely Briggs, Council Member Paul Meltzer, and Council Member
Deb Armintor (arrived at 10:34 a.m.)
STAFF PRESENT: Sarah Kuechler, Ryan Adams, Stephanie Yates, Amy Cunningham, Justin
Harman, Sarah Fullwood, Erin Winn, Marissa Barrett, Sara Hensley (arrived at 10:50 a.m.)
OTHERS PRESENT:
A. Consider approval of the minutes of June 4, 2019.
Council Member Meltzer motioned, and Council Member Briggs seconded to approve the
minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and gfve staff drrection regardfng research an citizen
university boards or comrnfssions and college student engagement.
Erin Winri gave an overview af research on citizen university baards and commissions for
callege student engagement and reported that most municipalities with large college populations
do not have a board like this.
Ryan Adams suggested engaging student government organizatians as an alternative and asking
to speak at their meetings, which are already organized. Ryan said some council members in
other cities hald affice hours/town halls on campus to engage students.
Council Member Briggs said that the suggestion originally came from a student council member
who said the student papulation feels left out of the community. She suggested meeting
annually with student councils from all three colleges in town to hear recommendations and
concerns that the students may have.
Council Member Armintar shared information about a graup called 66Ignite", which she said
encourages women who are interested in politics or government. She suggested reaching out to
them to start building a cannectian with students.
Council Member Meltzer said he likes the idea of a joining meetings that already exist and he
thinks the gesture would raise awareness of what's going an in the City.
Council Member Briggs asked if the schools are involved in the Census Complete Caunt
Cammittee.
Ryan Adams confirmed that students are involved and that the vice chair of the cammittee is a
UNT student. He said there is alsa a TWU representative an the committee, but there is not yet
a representative fram NCTC.
Sarah Kuechler said her team could reach aut ta existing student government organizatians at all
three schaols and possibly suggest the student government associations have a student
government liaison which the City and ather lacal governments can wark with.
Cauncil Member Meltzer asked if it would be appropriate for Council ta speak at these meetings.
Sarah Kuechler said that would be fine, as lang as there is not a quorum.
Council Member Meltzer asked if the City has a formal ar infarmal relationship with the MPA
program at the university, since many students seek internships in that program.
Ryan Adams canfirmed that there is an informal relationship between the City and the local
MPA pragrams. He stated that he believes Deputy City Manager Mario Canizares sits on the
alumni cammittee far the MPA program and there are many alums on staff.
Council Member Briggs said she supports working with the student government arganizations ta
get started.
Cauncil Member Armintor said she supparts making a connectian and asking students for iheir
ideas, rather than making them think the local gavernment is trying ta monitar their committees.
She said students will respond best ta an invitation ta share ideas.
C. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regardfng citizen
engagernent, communications, and transparency initiatives.
Sarah Kuechler shared a repart an recent cammunicatians effarts, including recent awards wan
at the TAMIO canference.
Ryan Adams shared updates on the Improving Dentan App, and the new Canstruction Guide
Update.
Council Member Armintar stated that she really likes the graphic design of the guide.
Cauncil Member Meltzer said he thinks the design helps people to see that there is a plan in
place.
Council Member Briggs said from what she has heard in general from the community is that the
younger residents are worried about the cost of the printed piece, and are overwhelmed by too
much information, but that the older population loves it.
Ryan Adams thanked Council for the feedback.
Council Member Armintor suggested that it wauld be nice to have text message alerts about
specific construction projects.
Council Member Meltzer asked if there is a locatian online where people can see mare specific
informatian.
Justin Harmon shared informatian about an online map that is a great tool for getting more
information about construction projects.
Ryan Adams gave an overview of the web pages related to Improving Denton and the tools
available to help residents stay informed.
Council Member Briggs asked if people can opt out from the print versian of the Construction
Guide.
Justin Harmon said the method used to mail the Construction Guide is door-ta-door direct, and
that it would cost more to mail the publication if peaple were allowed to apt out.
Ryan Adams shared information on the Constructian Guide for Businesses.
Council Member Meltzer said he thinks the guide is a noble effort.
Council Member Armintor said this guide should save time by helping businesses understand
what to do during construction. She also noted that seeing people face-to-face builds trust and
saves time.
Ryan Adams confirmed that the Guide also gives businesses the project manager contact
information.
Council Member Meltzer asked if residents can sign up for construction updates for targeted
areas.
Ryan Adams said that at the moment the construction updates are all or nathing, but that we
would like to have the option for residents to sign up for targeted areas in the future.
Sarah Kuechler gave a report on social media statistics/engagement. She stated that the City is
currently seeking public input on several projects and thanked Council far sharing information
on those opportunities.
Cauncil Member Armintor said she doesn't think Council has seen resident feedback on the band
yet, but that it would be nice if Council could see more public feedback information in general.
She said it would help them when making decisions.
Sara Hensley suggested that departments should share updates on public meetings in the Friday
Report.
Council Member Armintor said she would also like ta see written comments in the words of
residents.
Cauncil Member Briggs said in same cases, when comments come in online, that Council has
been able to see the comments, and that it was really helpful.
Ryan Adams said we would share the current bond comments through email.
Council Member Briggs said she was asked how someane wha couldn't attend the urban forestry
public meeting could share feedback.
Ryan Adams said a survey nat included in the scope of the Urban Forestry Master Plan project,
but that we can put information online on how to share feedback.
Council Member Armintar asked about the online Contact a Council Member form and if it
would be possible ta change the format of the emails.
Sarah Fullwood said that is not currently possible because of the way the form feature is built on
the website.
Council Member Meltzer pointed out some logic flaws in the Mobility Plan survey and
recommended revisions.
Sarah Kuechler shared information about the Back to Schoal Fair and noted the locatian change
to the Embassy Suites.
Cauncil Member Briggs asked abaut turnout at the event last year and why there might have
been a gap between supplies available and local need.
Sarah Kuechler said she would gather statistics fram the event and stated that she has shared
information with United Way on how to apply for City sponsorship for the event.
Sarah Kuechler shared infarmation about the 2019 National Night Out event, which will include
neighborhood block parties, and a launch party at the Civic Center.
Council Member Briggs asked haw the City is reaching neighborhoods who don't have
neighborhood associations.
Ryan Adams said social media and the Resident Update are being leveraged to reach those
neighborhoods. He noted that the City could also target apartments, civic groups, and HOAs.
Amy Cunningham stated that there are also fliers and posters present in many City facilities.
Council Member Armintor said the fliers should be in English and in Spanish. She suggested
getting the fliers placed in the Friday packets at Denton ISD.
Sarah Fullwood noted that PeachJar is a great option far reaching parents, but that it can be
difiicult to get printed handouts ta students at Denton ISD.
Council Member Briggs said DISD should allaw it if the event is for everyone.
Council Member Meltzer suggested advertising about the event on City vehicles using magnets
but noted that the method would be expensive.
Amy Cunningham noted that pre-National Night Out event is also serving as the Public Safety
Day event this year.
Council Member Briggs said she thought the pre-National Night Out event was a great idea.
Ryan Adams shared infarmation about the upcoming Clear the Shelters event.
Cauncil Member Armintor asked that a photo on the home page of the website featuring cats be
changed.
Ryan Adams shared information about City Hall Selfie Day on Aug. 15. He invited Council to
stap by to take a phato with a shelter animal to help promate the Clear the Shelters event.
Council Member Meltzer noted that the 66About99 page on the City of Denton website needs to
be looked at. He asked about the strategy for the website.
Ryan Adams and Sarah Fullwood gave an overview of the current strategy and plans to update
and improve the website.
Sarah Kuechler asked if future meetings shauld be quarterly or bimonthly.
Council Member Briggs suggested keeping the meeting frequency the same and kicking back
the dates if there isn't enough on the agenda.
Set Future Meetfng Dates and Topres.
With no further business, the meeting was adjaurned at 11:31 a.m.
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CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
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