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H:\ORNO\0C1124788\1_Corres\E_Public Engagement\3_Open Houses_Meetings_Events\2020-09-XX Open House\Summary\Navarre Engagement Summary 09292021.docx <br />October 12, 2021 <br />Jeremy Barnhart <br />RE: Navarre Municipal Parking Lot Community Engagement <br />City of Orono <br />The Navarre Area municipal parking lot, located near the intersection of Shadywood Road and Shoreline <br />Drive requires repair due to aging asphalt and poor surface conditions. Additionally, the comprehensive <br />plan identified this parking lot as a future space for community events. The City of Orono’s council <br />requested staff conduct engagement efforts to ensure future investments in the parking lot meet <br />community needs. Bolton & Menk was retained through the service agreement to complete these efforts. <br />This memo and its attachments detail the efforts completed and the participants’ responses. <br />Efforts <br />Multiple marketing and engagement strategies were implemented to solicit feedback from the public and <br />surrounding businesses. Three events were held: <br />•Virtual Open House. The City of Orono’s website hosted a virtual open house which included <br />information about the project and a brief survey. As part of the virtual open house, a virtual <br />listening session was held on August 12th, 2021 at 7 PM. There were seven participants. <br />•Pop Up in the Parking Lot. On August 17 th, 2021 from 4 PM to 7 PM, a pop up public input <br />opportunity was held in the Navarre municipal parking lot. At this meeting, users of the parking <br />lot were able to make brief comments about the parking lot and changes they would like to see <br />and complete a sticker exercise to identify types of improvements. Eleven people signed in with <br />dozens more providing comments as passersby. <br />•Business Focus Group. On September 14th, 2021 at 2 PM, a virtual focus group was held with two <br />business owners (Narrows Saloon and Ace Hardware). <br />To invite community members to the engagement events, multiple marketing materials were developed <br />and circulated: <br />•Postcards were sent to property owners and tenants in advance of the virtual open house, listening <br />session and pop up. <br />•Postcards were sent to business owners to invite them to the virtual open house and business <br />focus group. Due to lack of response, a follow up letter was sent by City Staff and a nother <br />postcard was sent after a date was selected. <br />•A press release was published on the City of Orono’s website to invite the broader community to <br />participate.