11.06.24 CEC Minutesi
OWN OF
pRtS PER
A Place Where Everyone Matters
Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m.
Committee Members Present:
Brent Kirby, Chair
Andy Franco
Darlene Morton
Soprina Reeves
Annie Bunger
Gretchen Darby
Kimberly Smith
Committee Members Absent:
Kristin Meier
Jai Muthu
Stacy Cate
Kari Willis
Councilmembers Present:
Jeff Hodges
Amy Bartley
MINUTES
Community Engagement Committee
Prosper Town Hall, Executive Conference Room
250 W. First Street, Prosper, Texas
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Staff Members Present:
Todd Rice, Communications Director
Myrisa Petty, Community Engagement Coordinator
Consider and act upon the minutes of the October 2, 2024, Community Engagement
Committee (CEC) meeting.
Andy Franco made a motion and Gretchen Darby seconded the motion to approve the
October 2, 2024 CEC minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Comments from the Public.
There were no comments from the public.
4. Brainstorming Ideas for Life in Prosper. (BK)
a) CEC Hand Off Discussion
Mr. Kirby discussed how ideas and recommendations can be handed off. It is suggested to
have a coworking meeting with the CEC to give their recommendations directly to the boards
and voting whether to adopt or not. Mr. Kirby said it would depend on the recommendation
itself for what the hand off would be. If the item is still somewhat live then Mr. Kirby suggests
keeping it on the CEC agenda such as the 2025 Calendar and passport revitalization.
b) Historical Downtown Prosper Event Brainstorm
This item was not discussed.
Page 1 of 4
5. Discussion on Town Events
a. Recent Events
Celebrate Prosper
The event had great feedback from the committee with mentions of lots of people in
attendance and Ms. Reeves mentioning it having a hometown feel and feeling
connected to the town. Mr. Franco did note that while there were many people in
attendance that a lot of them were from Light Farms. Council Member Hodges
suggests no longer having the event at Frontier since there is an influx from the
north. When it came to the addition of the New Resident Mixer into Celebrate
Prosper, Ms. Petty mentions some of the department employees commenting that
they had very few people visit their tables. Ms. Petty, Mr. Franco, and Ms. Bunger
who handled the CEC table all noted an awkwardness in asking people if they were
new residents and having to decline the giveaway if they weren't. Ms. Bunger
mentions a need for a flyer with a QR code to the MyProsper app to be included in
future giveaways. Council Member Bartley suggests forgoing departments being
present at all for new resident events and potentially bringing in a VIP tent to invite
new residents to. Mr. Kirby suggested a new resident box being mailed to the new
residents instead of cards or in person events. Council Member Bartley did mention
cost of mailing but also suggested working with EDC and the Prosper Chamber of
Commerce for items or offerings. The previous new resident passport was brought
up and it was suggested to rework the passport into more of a coupon book. Mr. Rice
suggested making the existing New Resident Website more robust and utilizing the
committee for a video welcoming residents. Mr. Kirby suggested going away from
events all together, focusing on the website and revitalizing the passport with an
incentive. Mr. Rice also mentions that utility billing inserts can be an option for those
who still open their paper bills.
b. Upcoming Events
Veterans Day Honor Run
The event will be held on November 9 at Frontier Park. The run has been expanded
to include three distances. Ms. Petty notes that this years registration has exceeded
previous years and special offers were made for town staff and PISD staff.
Lakewood Park Ribbon Cutting
This event will be held on November 19 at the new Lakewood Park to celebrate the
opening. The new park features hike and bike trail, a playground for all ages, natural
areas, basketball and pickleball courts and a cricket pitch.
Prosper Christmas Festival
The event will be held December 7 at Prosper Town Hall. Festivities include Santa's
Workshop, Kids Christmas Shoppe, Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, Kid Zone, Santa's
Selfie Station, Community Stage performances, cookie decorating and twinkling
exhibits packed with gifts and goodies for sale.
c. Logistics for a Serve Prosper Event
Mr. Rice let the committee know that he is working on a proposal for a volunteer program.
Town of Prosper staff is meeting with other municipalities this month to gather the resources
and advice to set up the program. Council Member Bartley mentions creating a hub for
volunteer opportunities for the town.
d. 2025 Event Calendar Discussion Update
Page 2 of 4
Ms. Petty let the committee know that their feedback has been submitted to the Parks
department who will take the feedback to the Parks Board. Council Member Bartley
suggested a coworking session for both the Community Engagement Committee and the
Parks Board to discuss a hand off. Council Member Bartley also suggested some additional
adjustments to the 2025 Event Calendar including changing Freedom Fest to Celebrate
Prosper and holding it downtown or potentially a rebrand of Freedom Fest all together
without Coffey Anderson. It was proposed to still have a community picnic with a new name
and moving it to Raymond Park when it is opened. Ms. Smith mentions wanting to open the
entertainment to the community and have different acts throughout the event with a posted
schedule. Ms. Bunger also pointed out wanting to see more cultures showcased at these
events.
6. Discuss receive updates regarding:
a. Community Engagement Activities
Ms. Petty gave the committee an update on upcoming meetings for the HOA Presidents and
the Partners in Faith. A brief overview of the goals for the meetings and the attendees invited
was also given. Ms. Petty summarized the balcony receptions held during the month of
October and noted dwindling attendance and the intention of spreading the receptions out to
help boost attendance. The catering for the receptions this year was done by the Prosper
High School and Walnut Grove High School culinary departments where those who were
able to attend a reception noted how impressed they were with the student's efforts. The
committee liked the idea of having the schools involved in town events.
b. MYAC Class of 2025 Updates
Ms. Petty gave an update about the 2025 MYAC class including a synopsis of their most
recent class day where MYAC elected their officers and upcoming agenda items including a
goals and objectives exercise, discussion of a "MYAC Minute" and social media. Ms. Petty
also notes that MYAC has been invited to a youth focus group for the Prosper Library Master
Plan this month.
7. Discuss and consider "Now You Know Prosper" Top 3. (BK)
Mr. Rice gave an update on the upcoming "Now You Know Prosper" projects.
8. Discuss and consider "CEC Top 3" & Save the Date Items (BK).
The Committee recommended the following for the CEC Top 3 this month:
• Veterans Day Honor Run
• Lakewood Park Ribbon Cutting
• Prosper Christmas Festival
9. Requests for future agenda items.
• Setting up a coworking session for CEC and Parks Board
• New Resident Website Revitalization
■ Update on Volunteer Hub efforts for Serve Prosper
• The committee agreed to move the January 2025 meeting date to the 8t" of January
in observance of New Years Day.
10. Adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. on November 6, 2024.
Page 3 of 4
These minutes were approved on December 4, 2024.
APPROV
Kristin Meier, Vice Chair
ATTES
munications Director
Page 4 of 4