HomeMy WebLinkAboutPreview of the City's draft Electronic "E" Newsletter (City Manager)CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
MEETING DATE: February 18, 2014
AGENDA ITEM NO.
ITEM TITLE:
"E" Newsletter.
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DEPARTMENT:
APPROVED BY:
City Manager's Office
Leslie Deese
Preview of the City's draft Electronic
PREPARED BY: Lauren Maxilom
PHONE: (619} 336.4289
EXPLANATION:
See attached Staff Report
FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
APPROVED:
Finance
ACCOUNT NO. nfa
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
FINAL ADOPTION:
APPROVED:
MIS
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ORDINANCE: INTRODUCTION:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Accept and file
ATTACHMENTS:
Staff Report
Staff Report: Preview of the City's draft Electronic "E" Newsletter
Consistent with the City's Strategic Plan 1 c to expand public access to city services and
information, an electronic newsletter could serve as another mechanism to support this
initiative. The addition of an e-newsletter would enhance and supplement the City's
current efforts of community outreach and resident engagement.
Background:
Citizen engagement, one of the City Council's top priorities, involves more than just
public participation at meetings and events. The use of technology provides us with
even greater opportunities to engage our residents to ensure they have access to a
wide range of tools and information to participate more fully in city government.
Despite a difficult economy and dwindling budgets, National City has worked hard to
ensure transparency and communication with our residents; some of the ways we have
done so include:
• Publishing a printed City Newsletter (periodically from 1980 thru 2009)
• Establishing the Neighborhood Council Program (2004)
• Redesigning the City's Website (2008)
• [-News Sign-up (2008) * see attached
• Publishing electronic and printed recreation brochures
• Webcasting meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission , and Oversight
Board (2008)
• Installing electronic messaging boards at major city facilities (2008-City Hall
2011-MLK & Library)
• Providing online agendas and backup material for all city council and board!
commission meetings (2012)
• Social Media (2012)
• Installing Wi-Fi at major city facilities (2012)
At the November 19, 2013 City Council meeting Council supported the concept of
publishing an e-newsletter, with the staff recommended factors:
• One year pilot program to gauge community interest.
• Bi-monthly newsletter with City staff created story content
• Contract with a firm whose expertise is in newsletter design ! development
and has the capability to host (or maintain) the subscriber list
• Approximate annual cost of $5,000
The conceptual layout of the City e-newsletter is not attached but will be viewed digitally
during the Council meeting. Editions will be electronically released in March, May, July,
September, November, and January.