The meeting began with a notable emphasis on the ongoing data practices study led by Heather Britt from a research firm. Britt provided an update on the study, which aims to evaluate the city’s data request process regarding effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance. Key areas of inquiry include the city’s data management system, Gov QA, compliance training for city staff, reporting trends, and comparisons with other jurisdictions. Britt detailed the study’s three-phase data collection process, involving document review, peer-reviewed literature, and public reviews of other jurisdictions’ practices. The committee expressed enthusiasm for this study, recognizing its potential to enhance the city’s data handling and transparency.

Simultaneously, the committee discussed the progress of surveys designed to gather feedback from internal department leads and external requesters who use the city portal. These surveys are central to understanding user experiences and identifying areas for improvement. The committee debated the methodology for selecting survey participants, ultimately deciding to invite all Saint Paul requesters who had used the portal in the past six months. The goal is to achieve a robust response rate, with plans to expand the invitation if initial responses are low. This initiative aims to provide valuable insights into the portal’s usability and effectiveness.

The discussion then shifted to community engagement efforts, particularly regarding district councils. It was noted that communication with these councils had been lacking but was now resuming. Meetings with ten district councils have taken place, with plans for further engagement. Topics such as public safety, housing, and cybersecurity have been prevalent in these discussions. A suggestion emerged to develop a comprehensive directory of city programs, categorized by department, to help residents access resources more easily. This idea was well-received, with plans to discuss it further with the committee and staff.

The committee also explored the broader role of civic engagement in government auditing. There was a call to educate the community about the committee’s work and its impact, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. Proposals included creating short autobiographies for committee members to humanize their roles and distributing materials about the committee’s work to community entities. A council member raised concerns about varying levels of awareness among residents about the audit committee, with a noted disparity across different city areas. Efforts to improve community outreach and engagement were seen as crucial moving forward.

Further discussions centered on the format of future meetings, with a preference for in-person gatherings, except when virtual attendance is necessary due to scheduling conflicts. The committee highlighted the importance of community engagement efforts, acknowledging the volume of submissions received and the potential to review new ideas in the context of previous discussions with the mayor. The idea of compiling a list of all auditable entities was proposed to assist community members in understanding what could be audited.

Additionally, the committee reflected on a recent meeting with the mayor, which was significant due to the attention it received. The interaction provided an opportunity to focus on new topics, such as the notion of a “college town,” which emerged as a potential area for exploration. Concerns were raised about addressing previous audit findings under the new administration, with suggestions to continue engagement with current officials to bridge any gaps between past and present administrations.

As the meeting concluded, the committee aimed to compile a list of discussed topics, encouraging members to review and consider additional items for presentation to the mayor. The process of narrowing down topics for future audits was discussed, with plans to utilize a risk analysis approach similar to previous cycles. The next audit committee meeting was tentatively scheduled, prompting discussions about finding a suitable time for all members.