REPORT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Overall Citywide Communications Update
Report
BACKGROUND
In March 2020, the City of Santa Clara (City) declared a local state of emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This action necessitated the re-focus of staff on the City's response to the pandemic. As a result, the City's communication and public information efforts were focused on keeping residents informed of the evolving public health situation.
On April 19, 2020, the City Manager informed the City Council (Attachment 1) that other communication initiatives were going to be put on hold or delayed due to the need to dedicate efforts towards the local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City has implemented several communications programs for providing residents, businesses and other stakeholders with locally-focused updates that include details about the outbreak itself and actions to take to reduce COVID-19 risks, available community resources, latest response efforts, and impacts to City events, programs and services.
DISCUSSION
The Director of Communications will provide a presentation on the City's communications efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Director of Communications will provide an update on the quarterly activities of Citywide social media activities, the Inside Santa Clara newsletter redesign and launch efforts, and collaborative efforts with the City's communications consultants, including the Love Santa Clara initiative and other communication efforts.
Commitment to Communications Excellence
Since the last report on communications activity at the February 19, 2020 Economic Development, Communications, and Marketing Committee (Committee) meeting, the City now has statistically valid data from a recent community survey that found 70% of residents feel the City is keeping residents informed.
Also, in July 2020, the City received stat...
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