ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Add the Position of COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (1.0 Full Time Employee) to the Budget.
Body
BACKGROUND: The City has been without a point person coordinating communications and marketing since early 2012. Routine communications duties, such as issuing press releases and scheduling media events, have been handled by individuals and various staff at the department level. This dispersion has worked to a certain degree, but the City lacks a coordinated effort at disseminating critical information, managing its media presence and marketing City services. The growth of non-traditional methods of communication requires an even more coordinated approach. An experienced and trained communication professional can help advance the City's strategic goals by keeping citizens and businesses informed and helping the City project a positive image.
The newly created "Communications Specialist" position would be a member of the City Manager's Office and work with the Mayor, City Council, City Manager and department leadership to communicate City issues, policies, and programs to the general public. Efforts would include coordinating traditional media, social media, marketing materials and electronic communication. The position would be responsible for, among other things, the following critical areas:
* Ensures City communication program is designed to keep the public and employees informed through reports, brochures, newsletters, social media, press releases, and various media contacts.
* Advises senior City leadership on strategically communicating issues to the public. Assist with crafting messages to the public.
* Develops new or revised public information programs; promotes positive media relations and community good will through public information programs; speaks to television, radio and print media on behalf of the City.
* Coordinates and orchestrates the City's social me...
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