City communications staff reported steady growth in social metrics and stronger video views for the month and outlined plans to improve engagement by publishing short staff-profile videos and follow-up posts addressing resident questions.
Michelle, communications manager, said video views were up and that posts shared to community pages produced higher engagement. She told the committee the department will publish an updated post addressing residents' questions about bulk trash billing, noting specifically that refunds will be issued if a private picker removes an item before the city crew can collect it: "If a picker comes and picks up their item before our people are able to get there, will they be refunded? And the answer is yes. Yes," she said.
The nut graf: staff recommended using short "60-second" videos featuring staff to humanize the department, build routine audiences and shift engagement from unofficial community pages to the city's official channels. Staff said they would assemble a bank of brief interviews to post regularly.
Committee members supported the idea as a cost-effective way to increase trust and provide quick information. Staff also said they will correct earlier errors in a street-sweeping graphic and will post clarifying information to reduce question volume.
No formal action was taken; staff will develop the video set and post follow-up content addressing the bulk trash and street-sweeping questions.