Antioch: Discussion Over Measure O Communication Plan Turns Into Social Media Exploration

During Tuesday night’s Antioch City Council meeting, the Antioch City Council directed staff to seek options of how social media may strengthen its communication with the public.

The informational report on Measure O Communication Plan highlighted the City has dedicated space on its website to Measure O while creating a Frequently Asked Question document to working on sending out mailers and public speaking opportunities.

City Manager Steve Duran noted that while the City is finding ways to get information out to the public, they were being careful not to advocate for the measure.

“Everything we have points people to the website because that is where most of the facts are,” said Duran. “We can also consider social media, but if we did it, it really needs to be something we do not just for a ballot measure, but on going to push out other information we have for people within the community.

A large portion of the discussion focused on whether or not to move forward with a social media campaign. The City Manager estimated it could cost the city $5,000 to $10,000.

Mayor Wade Harper wanted to clarify that the social media campaign would be information, not taking a position. Duran replied the campaign would be informational, but he is unsure if they would move forward with social media and was seeking direction from the Council.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha explained Antioch needs to better communicate with the public and social media may be the best way.

“San Pablo has a social media person and they seem to feel that’s an important way to communicate with the community and one of things we’re at fault is not communicating enough with the community and the community not being able to communicate with us is what I am hearing,” said Rocha. “Maybe it’s time to be looking, we are over 100,000 population and we certainly cannot be calling them on the phone or seeing them every day. Perhaps we need to look at what we are doing.”

Rocha suggested they learn from the police department because they are doing well with social media and communication. She said she wanted the city to begin using social media to get information out.

Mayor Wade Harper suggested cost may be a concern and would like specifics.

Duran explained they have not had an official discussion, but stated that the cost was $5,000 which he thought was high and it will depend how much they will do.

“We have got certain people in the community who have putting out all of our stuff on social media for us and as long as they are doing it, and they know who they are, well we do not have to hire and monitor it,” said Duran. “We can monitor use through Facebook and monitor what people are doing and saying.”

Duran stated that more cities are using social media whether it’s a ballot measure or general information or meeting information.

“Social media is another avenue to push all sorts of information,” said Duran.

Councilman Tony Tiscareno said that while the city has folks putting out information, he wanted the website expanded and promote the city website while triggering folks to go into Facebook and other social media pages.

“I am in favor of expanding our website so folks can look at outside sources so folks can see what we are doing in the city. I like the idea of expanding social media, but I know social media can be costly, I don’t think we need to do it at this point since we have people doing it for us already,” said Tiscareno.

Tiscareno said that he though the council should not peruse the social media outreach in the communication plan for Measure O.

Mayor Harper disagreed.

“I think we should have a certain amount, not cut it out. That is our world today,” said Mayor Harper. “I don’t think we should say no social media, it should be a certain amount because that is how we communicate.”

Councilwoman Monica Wilson said that she encouraged “snail mail” to continue because it generates conversation while Mary Rocha supported the idea of social media and supporting all the avenues of communication in the report provided by staff.

Tiscareno further explained that he is all for social media, but did not want to pay to “boost” posts or invest revenue into it—suggesting the city post its information on its pages. He was in favor of gaining more information about social media and how it would work within the city.

Rocha encouraged the city to jump into social media and explore what the costs will be and if it’s something they want as a council.

City Staff will meet with staff from San Pablo to see what could be done to implement a social media campaign for Antioch.