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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 07-15 CTFMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC CITY COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JULY 15, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Capshaw called the meeting of the communications task force to order at 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Capshaw, Members Nelson, Keehr, and Brandvold. Members Andrewjeski, Benjamin, Warner and Pfann were absent from this evening's meeting. Member Miller arrived later in the evening. Also present was Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone, staff assistant and Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 21. 1992 There were no objections to the April 21, 1992, ad hoc City communications task force minutes as submitted. DISCUSSION OF COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR POSITION Chairperson Capshaw reviewed the task force's activities of the May 20, 1992, meeting. The task force members present at the meeting reviewed the position description for a full-time communications coordinator. The members then ranked the duties and set priorities in an effort to reduce the job to a part-time position, thus saving money. Chairperson Capshaw said he made a presentation requesting the position to the city council and also spent some time discussing the position with the chairperson of the financial task force. The communications task force members reviewed the financial task force recommendation to the city council regarding the communications coordinator position. The recommendation was to fund the position in 1993 and reduce the costs associated with the position elsewhere in the City's general fund budget. The task force proceeded to review estimated expenses for the position. Member Brandvold asked about the possibility of starting the position in 1992, which would not cost the full amount as proposed for 1993. Chairperson Capshaw noted the city manager has been requested by the city council to find money in the 1992 budget to fund the position this year. The minutes should show that Member Miller arrived at 7:17 p.m. Member Keehr asked if there would be a market for a part-time is position, and the task force members agreed that there should be 7-15-92 -1- people willing to work part-time with the skills required for the position. Chairperson Capshaw said he is looking for a direction the task force should take. Member Nelson noted Chairperson Capshaw's report to the city council was excellent. He said he feels the package the task force prepared should be left as it is, and the task force should continue pursuing the establishment of the position. Member Brandvold added the task force came up with a realistic dollar figure to fund the position, and to alter it more would diminish the importance of the position. She favors leaving it is at is. There was discussion regarding timing of bringing this matter before the city council again. It was agreed that the request would be made to schedule discussion of this at the August 24, 1992 city council meeting. There was some discussion regarding the impact of the upcoming election on the image of Brooklyn Center DISCUSSION REGARDING DIRECTION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE Chairperson Capshaw said the task force has some choices before proceeding further. The first choice is to wait and see what action the city council might take at its August 24 meeting. The second option is to return to less pressing issues, such as the • more effective use of cable television. A third option is to hold a public hearing on communication issues. There was discussion regarding concern about the City's commitment to ideas of the task force. Member Brandvold said if a communications coordinator is hired, it would be beneficial to meet with this new person to discuss moving forward with the task force's activities. Member Miller suggested the task force revisit its purpose and assignments. The Recording Secretary reviewed the task force's enabling resolution. Chairperson Capshaw suggested the task force might consider scheduling a public hearing. He said if the money and energy is put behind a communications coordinator position, the task force could then look at setting a public hearing date after the position is approved. Chairperson Capshaw noted he and some members of the task force met with EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman and a marketing representative who is doing some marketing for development and redevelopment activities in the City. He felt there were some good ideas presented at that meeting. There was discussion regarding the positive things in the City and creative ways to market and promote the City. Member Brandvold said she has been involved in diversity training, and she feels the task force can be involved in dealing with the media to present positive news about the city. Member Miller noted it will be very beneficial to have a point person to help with • getting this message out to the community. 7-15-92 -2- The task force agreed that the communications coordinator position should be placed on the August 24 city council agenda. The timing of this would provide enough lead time for the city manager to respond to the task force's request to try and fund the position in 1992. NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting of the communications task force is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 1992, at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The communications task force adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Geralyn R. Barone Recording Secretary 0 7-15-92 -3-