2025-012 Neighborhood Engagement December 6, 2024 Report No. 2025-012
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Community Engagement Program
BACKGROUND:
On Sept. 18, 2024, Council Member McGee submitted a two-minute pitch to create a Community
Engagement program to make local government more accessible to residents by forming a team
of staff and Council Members to engage with residents quarterly at their front doors one Saturday
per month. On Sept. 24, 2024, the Council gave direction to provide an Informal Staff Report to
discuss the City's current community engagement practices and strategies and examine how other
cities are implementing community engagement and its effectiveness.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In February 2024,the City of Denton launched a Community Survey to a random sample of 17,500
single-family and multifamily households in Denton to provide feedback on city services. The
survey received 830 responses. Results determined that residents are satisfied with opportunities
to participate in community matters, with 60 percent rating this as "Good" or "Excellent". The
survey included an opportunity to rate the top three service areas that residents believe require the
most emphasis from city leaders over the next two years. Of those priorities,homelessness,quality
and maintenance of streets and sidewalks, and overall quality of the transportation system were
the top priorities (Community Report).
Currently, the City conducts community engagement through a variety of programs and
communications channels tailored to our diverse community based on feedback and information
collected. Staff provide opportunities for feedback from the community through surveys, video
engagement, social media, and Engage Denton, to name a few. Staff educate the community and
request feedback on current and upcoming projects through Discuss Denton, workshops, listening
sessions, and pop-up booths at highly attended events including Arts and Jazz Fest, State of the
City, Day of the Dead, and Blues Fest.
City departments including Police, Fire, Planning and Development, Community Services,
Library, and Parks and Recreation conduct outreach in the form of the Student Resource Officer,
Summer Youth Program, Citizens Police Academy,National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop,
Clowns on Fire, Citizens Fire Academy,Night Out on the Square, Careers on Wheels, Denton
360, and a Special Collections blog. Outreach programs focus on educating the community about
safety, available resources, and services offered.
At this time, staff is confident that the community has numerous avenues for providing feedback
and engagement, as demonstrated above.
December 6, 2024 Report No. 2025-012
If the above summary does not meet the intended outcome, staff recommends conducting a series
of town halls, as a pilot program, led by the Police department outlined below. During these
town halls, department directors and senior leadership will attend to provide information and
engage with the community.
Meeting Location Date Time
Q1, Meeting 1 Denia Rec Center Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
1001 Parvin St.
Q1, Meeting 2 MLK Rec Center Tuesday, March 17, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
1300 Wilson St.
Q2, Meeting 1 Calhoun Middle School Thursday, April 18, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
1125 Cresent St.
Q2, Meeting 2 Mt. Calvary Baptist Thursday, June 12, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
Church
I I I I Wilson St.
Q3, Meeting 1 North Branch Library TBD 6:30-8:00pm
3020 N. Locust St.
Q3, Meeting 2 Denton Senior Center TBD 6:30-8:00pm
509 N. Bell Ave.
Q4, Meeting 1 North Lakes Rec Center TBD 6:30-8:00pm
2001 W. Windsor St.
Q4, Meeting 2 American Legion Hall Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
629 Lakey St.
CONCLUSION:
City leadership values resident feedback, encourages community engagement, and supports
meeting residents where they are. If Council Member McGee wishes to advance the pitch
beyond an Informal Staff Report, staff will present the information to the Agenda Committee
December 6, 2024 Report No. 2025-012
with a recommendation to present the town hall pilot program to the Council during a work
session and request direction to implement the program.
STAFF CONTACT:
Carlotta Cowan
Assistant to the City Manager
Carlotta.cowan@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8569
REQUESTOR: Council Member McGee
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 20 hours
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: City Manager's Office, Police, Fire, Community
Services, Development Services, Parks and Recreation, Water Utilities and Street Operations,
Capital Projects, and Economic Development