Plain City council members are asking residents and business owners to help them work toward their goal of improving communication in the village.
Council recently approved the creation of the communications and marketing advisory committee.
Council member James Sintz, who led the creation of the committee, said during initial discussions that the group will be “supporting, not creating” policy surrounding village communication.
“I really see this more as a committee that’s going to set a strategy,” he said.
According to a document which provides an overview of the committee, its mission is “to serve as a resource to support the village and advise on communications and marketing projects as needed. The committee shall also advise on development and implementation of excellent communications tools, strategies and practices.”
The committee will consist of four residents. They will be appointed by the mayor with council’s consent, as is typical practice for other village committees and boards.
While council members said they did not want to limit membership to village residents, they agreed they should be either residents or village business owners.
“I don’t want someone from Dublin to be telling us how we should market things,” Council member Jim Eudaily said previously.
Additionally, according to an overview of the committee, residents who have a background in branding or marketing, technology, public relations or outreach and event planning will be given preference.
Along with the resident members, the communications and marketing advisory committee will have one staff member and one council member.
Members will serve three year terms, staggered between members.
The overview lists five “powers and duties” assigned to committee members.
First, they will “assist village council in identifying opportunities to understand and improve communications that enhance the ability of Plain City citizens to learn about community issues, programs and events, and increase community engagement.”
The committee will also “monitor and make marketing and branding strategy recommendations to strengthen and promote Plain City’s image and reputation.”
On the technology side of things, members will “provide input” and “serve as a focus group to test the technology before it is released to the public.”
The committee will also provide feedback to council regarding suggested improvements, including “ways to measure the effectiveness of the communications and marketing efforts and create feedback loops that support continual improvement.”
The group will also make suggestions that could affect the village budget, as they will “advise on communication and marketing resources for inclusion in the annual operating budget.”
Ultimately, Village Administrator Haley Lupton said it will be beneficial for village staff to have input from community members as to how to best communicate with them.
“Perspectives we may not think about – that would help a lot,” she said during a recent work session.
A “committee interest form” for those interested in serving on the communications and marketing advisory committee is available on the village website, www.plain-city.com.
Completed applications should be emailed to village@plain-city.com or mailed to P.O. Box 167, Plain City, OH 43064.
The committee will meet “at least once each month when there are village activities to be considered and not less than once every three months,” though the actual dates have not yet been set.
Officials have previously said their goal is to host the first committee meeting at the end of March.