| The Public Information Department is comprised
of the Public Information Office, Citizen Services
and Records Management.
Public Information Office
The Public Information Office directs the City's
communication efforts by increasing awareness of
government
services and activities. Information is regularly
distributed to residents, businesses, the media, City
officials and employees of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
The Public Information Office serves as an information
resource center for the public and employees by developing
and implementing public information strategies as
well as coordinating internal communications.
The Public Information Office is responsible
for a variety of communications:
- Developing and distributing
press
releases about City activities, programs and
news to the media;
- Managing the function, design
and content of the City's website and Intranet;
- Managing the content on Channel
78, the City's cable-access channel;
- The channel provides viewers
with information about a variety of City-related
events, activities and issues. City of Fort
Lauderdale Commission meetings and selected
Advisory Board meetings are broadcast on Channel
78.
- Creating the content of the
Focus newsletter located on the back
of City of Fort Lauderdale utility bill statements
sent to private
and corporate citizens;
- Information includes
a brief description of three to four City programs
or events.
- Developing messages that are
recorded on the City's phone system monthly to inform
callers about City, events, services and programs;
- Assisting the City's departments
with public education initiatives and special events;
- Developing, producing and placing
advertising including broadcast and print advertisements
in local and national publications and venues;
- Maintain the Highway
Advisory Radio System, or HARS, to provide
residents and visitors with public service
announcements and
up-to-date information about traffic, weather,
parking, special events and more. The City's HARS
station broadcasts 24 hours a days on radio
frequency 1610 AM.
- Producing publications and
collateral materials including:
- The City's bimonthly residential
newsletter Focus
On Fort Lauderdale that is mailed and
delivered to 60,000 residents and businesses;
- The Civic Association Packet,
a monthly letter directed to presidents and
newsletter editors of Fort Lauderdale's civic
and homeowner associations;
- The Civic Association
Packet keeps residents informed about programs,
services, events, activities and city issues.
The packet frequently includes brochures,
flyers and additional information.
- Forward, a quarterly
newsletter to inform the business community
about Fort Lauderdale's business and economic
development programs and activities. (Note:
Production of Forward is currently
on hold.)
- The City's internal employee
newsletter, City Scene, published monthly
and distributed to employees with the first
paycheck of the month;
- Brochures, pamphlets and
flyers, are created, produced and distributed
by the Public Information Office to carry out
the public information strategies of City departments.
Citizen Services
The Office of Citizen Services provides
responsive and quality customer service to the City
Commission, citizens, visitors, and external agencies.
The Office is responsible for consolidating and responding
to all citizen inquiries and concerns referred by
the City Commission, as well as coordinating City
Commission requests for information and updates with
the appropriate City departments. Additionally, the
Office addresses citizen concerns and inquiries that
are filed directly with the City Manager's Office.
The Office is active in responding to requests from
homeowner associations in dealing with issues of
concern to the neighborhoods as well as coordinating
and facilitating the resolution of these concerns
with various City departments.
Records Management
The Records Management division facilitates
public access to city records and, in conjunction
with the
Office
of Professional
Standards and the City Attorney’s Office, ensures
that the city remains in compliance with state public
records laws. |
