Task force recommends full‑time Community Marketing and Communications Manager to boost downtown vibrancy

A downtown retail visioning task force returned with staffing recommendations intended to advance the 2035 retail vision and improve downtown vibrancy. The group recommended creating a single Community Marketing and Communications Manager position to coordinate the city’s website, social media, tourism promotion, event calendars and marketing efforts across departments and outside vendors rather than duplicating work across multiple staff and organizations.

"We're recommending that we create a position called the community marketing and communications manager," the task force lead said, presenting job descriptions, market data and performance metrics. The group recommended consolidating duties now handled in fragments by staff and partners (not replacing third‑party vendors) and proposed a full‑time role to be evaluated through the budget process. Council members asked about the duties to be shifted from existing staff, the position’s scope (not an ad agency or a creative role), and timing; one councilor said, "I think it's needed and that's the way of the world now," while staff agreed the proposal should go through HR and the budget committee for salary and funding decisions.

The task force provided job descriptions, salary research and suggested KPIs; council asked staff to return with funding options and recruitment timelines during budget discussions before any formal hiring decision.