2021 Community and Information Services Annual Report

The community and information services department is responsible for planning and implementing community engagement efforts, volunteer coordination, information technology, front-desk customer service, and administrative support. The department also serves as the focal point for all City communications. The community and information services director oversees an administrative coordinator, a communications and engagement coordinator, and a customer service representative.

Community Engagement

Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the City of Montgomery to make the difficult decision to cancel the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) in 2021.

Video Production

In addition to the talented City staff, the City of Montgomery partners with RESLV to create engaging videos to promote community activities. Here is a sampling of the videos created in 2021.

 

K9 Ricky Challenge Winners

Social Media Campaigns

  • K9 Ricky’s Challenge: K9 Ricky and Officer Alex hid their Challenge Coin in public areas across the City of Montgomery. Children ages 13 and under were invited to play. The family that found the coin first kept the coin and met Ricky and Alex
  • Coloring Contests: Fall Coloring Contest and Winter Coloring contests. Dozens of winners, everything from best in show to best use of sparkles.
  • Turn Montgomery Orange, to support the Cincinnati Bengals and their place in the Superbowl, residents were asked to show how they decorated or turned their home or business orange.
  • Light up Montgomery: Residents sent in pictures of their homes decorated for the holidays.
  • Resident Halloween Decorations: Residents sent in pictures of their homes decorated for Halloween.

Information Technology

Communications

In 2021, the community and information services department researched options to replace the existing shared telephone system with Sycamore Community Schools? The department chose a hosted solution provided by Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions. The new telephone system will be installed in early 2022.

Public Wi-Fi

The City of Montgomery partnered with Cincinnati Bell to install their UniCity Public Wi-Fi solution in downtown Montgomery, Swaim Park, and Dulle Park. In addition to providing free public Wi-Fi, UniCity also provides data to help the City understand user traffic patterns and behaviors that can be used to aid economic development efforts.

Cybersecurity

In 2021, the City of Montgomery partnered with the Center for Internet Security (CIS) to improve the City’s cybersecurity posture. CIS is home to the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the trusted resource for cyber threat prevention, protection, response, and recovery for U.S. State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government entities.

Volunteerism

The responsibilities of the part-time volunteer coordinator position were transferred to the customer service representative position in 2021.

A new volunteer record-keeping system was installed in 2021. The new system has made keeping records more accurate and easier to maintain. In addition, volunteers can download an app and sign up for opportunities online!

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, several volunteer opportunities were filled in the City of Montgomery. For example, Beautification Day in 2021 saw over 80 community volunteers, Harvest Moon had 33 volunteers and Holiday in the Village had 11 student volunteers.

Harvest Moon Craft Volunteers
2021 Tree Of Life Beautification Day Volunteers
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