Item 55 - Request to Cosponsor

[Marc Duchen]

Colleagues,

I want to thank CM Velásquez for his work - and lending his personal expertise - on Item 55 that will generate much-needed reporting for our citywide communication and marketing efforts. I'm requesting to be a cosponsor on this item if there is not already a 5th council member cosponsoring. I think how we communicate with, inform, and engage the public is at the heart of all the civic work we do, and is increasingly relevant in a time where we are battling the "attention economy". We had over 200 people yesterday afternoon attend the "older adults" Town Hall that MPT Fuentes and I hosted and I'm more convinced than ever that many residents have an interest in city issues - IF we can successfully reach and engage them.

Further, I have seen that as a city, we have grown certain roles and personnel organically in numerous departments over time as the city has grown - not just communications or CPIOs, but in positions related to technology, finance, HR, and even emergency preparedness. I strongly suspect communications and marketing is not the only place where we can find and embrace new opportunities including adopting best practices, standardization, coordination, and bringing efficiencies.

Thanks,
-Marc

[Jose Velasquez]

Thank you for your support and co-sponsorship, Council Member Duchen.

The City of Austin offers so many great services and resources, and it’s important we find a way to showcase them to our growing city and community appropriately.

- José Velásquez