HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Community Engagement Advisory Board - 2024 - 02/05 - Regular COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 5,2024
Present: -
Community Engagement Advisory Board:
John Gain, Chair
Inga Fredrickson,Vice-Chair
Collin Packer
Ana Gonzalez
Kelley Johnson
Kristi Guzinski
City Staff:
Rebecca Vice,Assistant City Manager
Rocio Gonzalez,Deputy City Secretary
Chelsey Aprill,Assistant Director,Public and Media Relations
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Regular Meeting of the Community Engagement Advisory Board was
called to order by Chair Gain at 6:01 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, in the Basement Meeting
Rooms of Allen City Hall,305 Century Parkway,Allen,Texas.
2. Approve Minutes of November 6,2023,Meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion by Board Member Gonzalez and a second by Board Member Fredrickson, the
Board voted six(6)for and none(0)opposed to approve the minutes of the November 6,2023,
Regular meeting. The motion carried.
3. Election of Officers.
Chair Gain called for nominations for the following officer positions.
Chair:
John Gain was nominated.
Vice-Chair:
Kelley Johnson and Kristi Guzinski were nominated.
Secretary:
Kristi Guzinski was nominated.
With a majority vote of three(3)Board Members for Kelley Johnson,two(2)Board Members for Kristi
Guzinski, and Board Member Gonzalez abstaining from the vote, Kelley Johnson was voted the sole
nominee for Vice-Chair.
MOTION: Upon a motion by Board Member Packer and a second by Board Member Fredrickson, the
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 5,2024 PAGE 2
Board voted five(5)for and none opposed,with Board Member Gonzalez abstaining from the
vote, to elect John Gain as Chair, Kelley Johnson as Vice-Chair, and Kristi Guzinski as
Secretary.
4. Receive Special Events Update.
Board member Fredrickson provided an update on the"Spirit of Spring"event to be held at Spirit
Park on March 23'. Vendor registration is still open,with preference given to Allen vendors. Staff is
working with the Allen Chamber to promote the event.Various activities are scheduled.
5. Receive City Communications Update.
Assistant Director of Public and Media Relations Cheley Aprill reviewed the various communication
channels used by PAMRO for event outreach and the Communication Plan used to plan ahead for larger
events. She also provided a list of upcoming communication projects involving city departments for
the month of February.
6. Presentation by PAMRO Assistant Director Chelsey April regarding"Allen Stronger Together"
concept.
Ms.Aprill reviewed a concept underway to offer the community a series of focused activities held from
April 6th to May,6th hosted by the City of Allen and community partners that demonstrate our ongoing
care and commitment to our family, friends, neighbors, and community. Sample events include
activities such as a blood drive, random acts of kindness, a cleanup day, or a planting day. The Board
would be tasked with encouraging churches,civic organizations,and neighborhood groups to organize
activities or events,in their own way,that can be shared on the city's community calendar. Use of the
hashtag#AllenStrongerTogether may be used to encourage participation and generate content that can
be shared via social media. The Board agreed to meet on February 26th to discuss this concept further
in detail.
7. May 6' Memorial Event Update by Assistant City Manager Rebecca Vice an appointment of
board liaisons.
Ms. Vice spoke about plans underway to work with a small community group planning an organized
event marking the anniversary of the tragedy on May 6th at Allen Premium Outlet. Ms.Vice noted that
APO is still finalizing its plans, while the city's focus is on the community and how we can assist on
that front. Ms. Vice encouraged appointing board liaisons to assist with the day-of planning for May
6,2024. Chair Gain appointed Board members Packer and Johnson as liaisons.
•
8. Guided Discussion by Chair John Gain regarding Board Goals and Objectives for 2024.
Ms.Vice provided an update on the 2023 accomplishments of the board, such as advising on the ADA
Transition Plan, Special Event Programming, and assisting with the G.O. Bond 2023 communication
efforts.
Chair Gain suggested the board focus on 3 areas in 2024 - the Allen Stronger Together and May 6
remembrance, continue to be an advisory board to city departments in their community engagement
efforts and strengthening Allen's partnerships in the community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 5,2024 PAGE 3
Chair Gain mentioned continuing conversations on utilizing the Type 4B Community Development
Corporation(CDC)grant funds for events in the community.Ms.Vice proposed having the Executive
Director of the Allen CDC come to speak to the Board at a future meeting once the Grant Program is
finalized so the board can learn more about that process.
9. Discuss Items for Future Board Meeting Agendas.
Increasing frequency of board meetings.
Special called meeting for February 26.
Next steps on Strengthening Allen Partnerships.
10. Items of Interest. [Board announcements regarding local civic and charitable events, meetings,
fundraisers, and awards]
Collin County Martin Luther King,Jr. Celebration rescheduled to February 19.
11. Adjourn.
Chair Gain adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Community Engagement Advisory Board at 8:13 p.m.
on Monday, February 5, 2024, in the Basement Meeting Rooms of Allen City Hall, 305 Century
Parkway,Allen,Texas.
These minutes were approved on the 26th day of February 2024.
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