Item 2- Community Engage and Outreach Plan — original pdf
Backup
2026 Bond | Outreach & Engagement Monday, January 12, 2026 Agenda • Timeline • Phase III: Community Open Houses & Survey II • Outreach and Engagement Support • Questions & Answers Outreach and Engagement Schedule APR – MAY 2025 JUNE 2025 JULY 2025 NOV 2025 Staff-led outreach and engagement efforts begin. Community survey opens May 29. June 23 survey comes to a close. Staff begin to work on the preliminary report. July 28 Presentation of community feedback. Town hall planning and coordination. In November, the BEATF will host three community listening sessions where community members can drop in, learn about who the BEATF is, their goals, and gather insights from community priorities. 7/28/25 2026 BOND 3 Outreach and Engagement Schedule January 2026 JAN – FEB 2026 JAN – APRIL 2026 City Staff will provide an initial recommendation to Mayor and City Council City Staff will host Phase III Community Engagement with Open Houses and launch survey #2 on potential bond projects (BEATF) Working groups will present recommendations to the full BEATF. April 27, 2026 BEATF will provide recommendation to Mayor and Council 7/28/25 2026 BOND 4 Outreach and Engagement Schedule MAY 2026 AUGUST 2026 NOVEMBER 2026 City Council Ordinance considers to call for the bond election by August 6, 2026 Nov 3. Bond Election City Staff will provide a FINAL recommendation to the Mayor and City Council. Council Discussion and Final Resolution: Work Session May 19 Council Meeting – May 21 2026 BOND 5 Phase III: Community Open Houses & Survey II Bond 2026 Open Houses Phase 3 of the Bond 2026 engagement focuses on community open houses, designed to deepen understanding, invite informed input, and bring community members closer to the decision-making process. Montopolis Recreation Center 1200 Montopolis, Dr. Austin, TX 78741 Wednesday, January 28 | 4 - 8 pm Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757 Saturday, January 31 | 11 am – 3 pm Virtual Meeting Tuesday, February 3 | 11 am – 1 pm Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Wednesday, February 4 | 4 - 8 pm Conley-Guerrero Senior Center 808 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702 Saturday, February 7 | 11 am - 3 pm 2026 BOND 7 Bond 2026 Open Houses Each open house is designed as a walk-up, interactive experience, allowing community members to participate at their own pace. Community members will be able to: Understand how we got to this phase Two display boards will outline the Bond 2026 roadmap, showing the process, phases, and how community input has informed progress to date. Engage directly with subject matter experts Departments will host their own display boards highlighting bond-eligible projects, providing clear, plain-language explanations of proposed investments. Community members will have an opportunity to speak directly to subject matter experts to clarify project details, feasibility, and intended outcomes. Participate in Survey II Tablets and QR codes will be available for those who choose to complete the survey during or post-event. Leave written feedback Comment cards and secure comment boxes will be available for those who prefer not to express themselves verbally. 2026 BOND 8 Bond 2026 Survey II Survey II is currently in development and will complement the initial survey and scheduled open houses by capturing broader and more nuanced input. Survey goals include bringing community members closer to the decision-making process by asking about: • Confidence in the proposed projects • Perceived feasibility and value of proposed projects • Project support and prioritization • Provide sentiment feedback on affordability impacts related to the proposed bond Tentative Survey Timeframe: • Launch: January 26 • Close: February 16 2026 BOND 9 Bond 2026 Open Houses Support Each open house is designed as a walk-up, interactive experience, providing an opportunity for everyone to participate and support. City staff and BEATF are reminded to remain neutral through the outreach and engagement process. City Staff BEATF Plan & Coordinate Design, schedule, and prepare all meeting logistics, materials, and displays Attend & Observe Attend any open house as listeners and observers Provide Information Staff display boards and ensure subject matter experts are available to answer technical questions Listen & Learn Circulate the room to hear community questions, concerns, and priorities Facilitate the Space Welcome participants and explain the self-guided open house format Connect with Community Engage informally with community members and acknowledge their participation Guide Participation Direct attendees to feedback opportunities (survey stations, comment cards, dot voting, push-pin map) Encourage Feedback Invite participants to complete the survey or leave comment cards behind Ensure Accessibility Support navigation, language access, and inclusive participation Remain Neutral Please do not advocate for or against specific projects or answer technical questions – refer them to SME. 2026 BOND 10 Bond 2026 Open Houses Support Who should promote: - City Council Members, BEATF networks, City Departments. Everyone is reminded to remain neutral throughout this engagement process and refrain from advocating for a specific project or department. Before you promote: - Pre-approved language and guidance have been drafted and will be available for distribution soon. - Please do not add/edit approved language. This ensures the City’s unbiased position to support public participation. 2026 BOND 11 Questions & Answers Austin Communications & Engagement Jessica King, Director Lucero Arechiga, Community Engagement Consultant Alicia Dean, Strategic Communications Manager Andres Cantu, Acting Communications Program Manager