Ferrysburg looks at ways to communicate with residents

Tue, May 13, 2008    to del.icio.us

FERRYSBURG — City Council is considering ways the city can better communicate with its residents.

During a work session Monday night meeting, council discussed ways to better inform the public about upcoming agenda items and news in the city.

Councilwoman Regina Sjoberg had a list of suggestions, highlighted by potentially generating an e-mail list and RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication) that residents could sign up for.

"We have to be careful that it's information in nature," she said. "We can't — any one of us — speak on political issues."

Sjoberg, who has professional experience in public relations, also suggested the city try to get a spot on public television, council and staff take part in "meet and greets," host community forums, and start a citizens' committee.

"We need to be smart about which vehicles we want to use," Councilman Tim Scarpino, adding that the city needs to utilize more electronic media than its Web site.

Sjoberg also suggested purchasing an electronic message sign to be placed in Ferry Park, which gained the general support of the council. Council members suggested the sign could advertise an agenda item or upcoming event in the city.

Councilman John Stafford said the city should consider having more than a twice-yearly newsletter, suggesting it should be at least a bi-monthly publication.

Sjoberg said added communication may mean more negative feedback — "but that's good." The goal is to get more input from residents, she said.

On the Net:

www.ferrysburg.org