04/17/2019 - Minutes ■
Committee for Community Engagement Focus Group Notes
MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday,April 17, 2019, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Public Works, Sunrise Room (8777 SW Burnham St.)
Present: Joseph Lyons, Bhushan Gupta, Christine Rehse, Connie Ramaekers, Lauren
Rowles, Miranda Wood, Dave Hanna
Visitor:Jas
Council Liaison: Liz Newton
Staff Liaison: Nadine Robinson
• Welcome and introductions.
• Development of a communication's strategy for city council outreach led by Councilor
Liz Newton
Goal 1 notes regarding levy communications
Content
Lead with specifically what the voter will get. (examples: improved response time, traffic
safety, school safety& response to homelessness.)- Focus on benefit to the community.
Provide statistics —i
• If caseload has increased over the last few years share that.
• Can we show by neighborhoods? Suicide rates for teens are critical—need for Police
support presence/support.
• How do we compare to other cities?
• Do we measure up to other cities?
• Response times &budget.
• Top ten crime stats in bullet format.
How will new positions be used to address/reduce the crime statistics
What can we brag about?Tell what the police are doing really well for the community.
Let residents know the City took a sincere look at what focus groups/survey said after the last
levy and tell how the city has scaled back
Let the community know about other funds that support the PD. Are there grants or other
sources than general fund?Along those lines, show
Tell how the recent reductions are impacting services (for example, the elementary schools no
longer have SRO's)
Is there a customer service aspect to it?Miranda likes that officers come out and take reports
versus filing online reports.
Is our PD under-funded,under-trained,under-equipped?
Share staffing levels for the different shifts.
Officers are working more with people who live with mental issues—are more resource
intensive.
Are there costs to the community that happen regardless if the levy passes?
Podcast with Joseph already suggest via email
YouTube videos—like the ones that recently came out are really touching and makes him love
his city. The videos we tried last time came across as cold. Make it closer to home.
Video. Include seniors, renters, kids—talk one on one. Personable, stories
Brochures 1) statements of why someone should support it. 2) Anticipate why someone would
oppose the levy&respond to those concerns.
StratS"
Tell people what they will lose if the levy doesn't pass.
Be sure to respond to questions. For example,why Wednesday recently responded to a
question about having officers on bikes. (Answer, can't staff it.)
Is there a customer service aspect to it?Miranda likes that officers come out and take reports
versus filing online reports.
Don't lead with public safety. For ex, 911. Something tangible that residents can connect with.
Should we reach out to renters differently than home owners?
Reach out to the communities that did not support the last levy.
Goal 4 notes
What ways can the Council engage with community?
Booth at different events. —Bring in residents that want to participate too.They don't have to
have see eye-to-eye. Wrestling with it&want to engage with rest of the community.
Hang out in Dolly's garage and meet her community. Q)
HOA organizations, (bring the Chie�
Drop box with a quiz by it. Old school—questionnaire, etc.
Make sure we get articles into Tigard Life.
Other thoughts:
Connie—light rail-is it an elephant? Be clear that if the measure passes wide region-wide, even
if it doesn't pass in Tigard,it goes through.
Tool kit—here is how to host an event. This is how to make it welcoming. Here is how to
invite your neighbors.