Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10548 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10548 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 9, 2021 Page 1 of 3 i SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND r 7A HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information to the City Council about the different ways the Community Engagement Office has continued to support Neighborhood Associations and Homeowner Associations during COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the Community Engagement Office has been serving the community. These are some of the modifications that the team has made to better serve the changing needs of our residents. Neighborhood Registration During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Engagement Office continued to work with Neighborhood Associations and Homeowner Associations to update their annual registration forms.This allows the team to have the current information for each associations' leadership, so they can share updates and city information. Although annual updates are required to stay registered,this wasn't enforced during the pandemic. Associations were also not required to hold meetings during this period. Neighborhood Leader Phone Calls From April—June the team contacted 1,500 registered neighborhood association leaders once every 3 weeks. These phone calls allowed staff to check on neighborhood concerns, assist with city updates and provide COVID-19 information and resources. Phone calls were also made to more than 5,000 seniors living in zip codes 76104, 76105 and 76112 to check on their well-being, assist with city services and provide COVID-19 information and resources. New Associations The formation of new associations has slowed down during COVID-19. When there is interest in starting a new association, the Community Engagement staff assists with: • Planning Meetings • Marketing (Fliers, social media etc.) • Public Interest Meetings • Neighborhood Assessment • Formation • Registration and Bylaws • Training of leadership RE: Engage Program Prior to the pandemic, the Community Engagement team created a new program to focus on registered neighborhoods who are struggling to engage their community. Staff partnered with Council to identify neighborhoods. Once a neighborhood was identified, staff helped them with organizing and hosting public interest meetings, board training and meeting support. During the pandemic, these neighborhood assessments were conducted virtually with board members. Although the program is currently limited because of staff resources, the plan is to continue to expand it to other neighborhoods. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10548 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 9, 2021 Page 2 of 3 i SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND r rA HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS Inactive and Struggling Associations We realize that sometimes an association can have difficulty.The goal is to always provide support and not be punitive. The Community Engagement Office has many resources to help them, including the Re: Engage program. If an association doesn't follow the registration guidelines, we have a multi-step process to bring them back into compliance. This includes a call and email to every leader at least twice when their annual update form is due/past due. If the update isn't provided, we send out two different certified letters (one month apart) requesting they complete/send in their forms. Council is also kept updated throughout the process. The last step is to unregister the association. During COVID-19, we have not initiated any un-registration. Registration The Neighborhood Association, Homeowner Association and Alliance registration is in place so that we can maintain a current database of neighborhood leaders.This allows us to send city information and updates on a regular basis. We can also provide courtesy notices for zoning cases. Virtual Meetings The office has initiated virtual trainings and meetings so that neighborhood leaders and members can stay involved. Monthly Virtual Neighborhood Leadership Meetings • Inviting one representative (President or Vice President) from every association to attend a group leadership meeting to discuss city programs, updates, office updates, NUSA, COVID resources, upcoming training, zoning, Annual Updates, concerns, etc. Board Member Training • Offered during most months to all neighborhoods, with breakout sessions if needed. Community Engagement Workshops • Offered rotating workshops during most months to all neighborhoods, with breakout sessions if needed. Neighborhood Meeting Attendance and Training • Provided training to leaders who had limited experience conducting meetings online. • Facilitated meetings when leaders are uncomfortable with technology. More than half of associations have requested assistance in hosting their virtual meetings. • Attended virtual meetings to share updates about city services and COVID-19. Communications Community Engagement Bulletin • March—June: Increased distribution from weekly to twice a week. • Every edition sent in English and Spanish. • Shared on social media by City Council, Community Services Advisory Committee members and La Voz de Fort Worth. Faith-Based Bulletin • March—August: increased distribution from quarterly to weekly. • Every edition sent in English and Spanish. • Made each edition available as downloadable pdf on website. • Shared on social media by City Council, Community Services Advisory Committee members and La Voz de Fort Worth. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10548 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 9, 2021 Page 3 of 3 i SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND r 7A HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS Other communications tools used to inform residents included: • Robocalls • Fliers and mailers to food distribution sites. • Nextdoor posts. • Translation of all city material for distribution. • Social media posts. "Worth Sharing"Program • Created a program to share inspiring stories about positive activities and neighbors. Over thirty stories were shared through City News and the bulletins. • Stories were also shared on social media and local media outlets. For any questions about the Community Engagement Office, please contact Michelle Gutt, Communications and Public Engagement Director, at michelle.gutt@fortworthtexas.gov or 817-994-9141. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS