Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 01-15 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 JANUARY 15, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Capshaw called the meeting of the communications task force to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Capshaw, Members Keehr, Warner, Andrewjeski, and Benjamin. Also present was Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone, staff assistant and recording secretary. Members Brandvold, Miller, and Pfann were absent from this evening's meeting. The task force members expressed their regrets over the passing of Member Tollin, who passed away last week. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 20, 1991 Member Benjamin expressed some concern regarding the contents of the November 20, 1991, task force meeting minutes, particularly in regard to comments regarding Northwest News. She responded to one statement about irregular delivery of Northwest News, noting the newspaper is printed twice monthly and has been so for the last one and one-half years. With regard to the comment that ninety-five percent of the news is about Brooklyn Park, Member Benjamin said this is not so. Every effort is made to maintain a balance between the two cities. There was a motion by member Andrewjeski and seconded by Member Benjamin to approve the minutes of the November 20, 1991, communications task force meeting. The motion passed. TASK FORCE GOALS Chairperson Capshaw briefly reviewed the activities of the last two task force meetings. He noted he was asked by the task force to draft goals showing the directions the task force should take, and these goals will be presented to the Mayor and City Council for feedback. Once the Mayor and Council approve the goals, the task force can then begin working on a communications plan. Chairperson Capshaw proceeded to review a draft of the goals of information, involvement, and identity. Member Benjamin said it was nice to see the draft of goals, because she feels the City Council is anxiously awaiting recommendations from the task force. She noted the City Council will be holding a public hearing to discuss whether or not City Council meetings should be broadcast on cable television, and this meeting is set 1-15-92 -1- for January 27, 1992. There was discussion regarding the televising of Council meetings. Chairperson Capshaw directed the task force back to reviewing the draft of the goals. Member Keehr suggested including businesses in the introductory paragraph of the draft. Chairperson Capshaw asked if the task force should prioritize the items of information, involvement, and identity. Commissioner Warner said the draft covers everything as a vision, and feels the task force can prioritize the items once it starts working out the details. Member Keehr pointed out if the City works hard on the goals in the information section, it will lead to achieving goals in the areas of involvement and identity. Member Benjamin said if the City Council meetings are broadcast on cable television, it would be nice to have an introduction from the Mayor explaining the process involved in a Council meeting. Chairperson Capshaw suggested there is a need to publicize the agenda of upcoming issues, and then following up on what has happened. The task force members agreed to change the first paragraph of the goals statement to include mention of the City's work force. Member Benjamin suggested the City should allow for more business input in the involvement process. Chairperson Capshaw briefly reviewed the five recommendations from the Coleman and Christison Communications Audit, including the monthly news tabloid, issues hotline, developing a communications plan, hiring a communications specialist, and use of cable television. Chairperson Capshaw suggested work needs to be done on improving the image of the City. Member Andrewjeski said the City needs direction, and there is no concerted effort of the community moving forward. He said we have to make the citizens want to read and watch for information. Member Andrewjeski said he would like to change the City's logo. A discussion ensued regarding use of the City's current logo. Member Andrewjeski said Brooklyn Center has ignored the Mississippi River, and he would like to see the river incorporated in the logo. He said an identity is needed for the city, and it could be turned into a river community. Member Warner suggested another theme using water which could include using Shingle Creek. Chairperson Capshaw said he feels a number of people should be involved in the process defining a new logo. Chairperson Capshaw asked if the City has a slogan, and Barone responded affirmatively, saying Brooklyn Center is, "The Something More City". Most members had not heard of this slogan. Member Andrewjeski suggested phasing in a new logo as equipment is replaced, because of the expense in changing the logo. 1-15-92 -2- • Member Warner reviewed for the task force a list she received when she applied to serve on the task force entitled, "Steps for Developing Plan of Action for the Communications Task Force". She said there are five steps listed, and the task force has already hit on some of these. There was discussion regarding the City's newsletter, and it was determined the newsletter is weighted quite heavily on the information side. Member Benjamin suggested it would be nice to have a mix between information and what the City of Edina uses as its newsletter called "About Town". Member Andrewjeski suggested involving a retired teacher from Brooklyn Center High School, Warren Olson, who has done some historical background on Brooklyn Center. The task force continued its discussion of broadcasting City council meetings on cable television. Chairperson Capshaw feels the current estimated costs for cablecasting meetings is too high. He asked why City Council meetings have to be in the Council Chambers if poor lighting is a problem. He suggested using another facility, like Constitution Hall or the Earle Brown Heritage Center. The task force members agreed a preliminary recommendation to the City Council is that if City Council meetings can be broadcast on cable television inexpensively at the outset, it should be done. Member Andrewjeski added the quality of the production can always be upgraded in the future. Chairperson Capshaw said another location should be considered if the City Council chambers are not technically ready for broadcasting. The task force members noted that a commitment to cable television is not a cure all to the communications concerns the City has. The City still needs to develop a planned approach to communications. The task force members proceeded to discuss the addition of a communications specialist position. Barone was asked to obtain job descriptions from other cities, as well as the position description drafted by Mayor Paulson. Barone suggested a component of the identity section of the goals should be customer service. Chairperson Capshaw said he would add a statement regarding this to the goals. The task force began to discuss the communications specialist position again. Barone suggested the task force members should be prepared to justify adding a position to City staff in a time of decreasing revenues, especially when departments are being asked to reduce their budgets. Chairperson Capshaw said Brooklyn Center does not market itself well, which is a necessity to keep residents, businesses and maintain the vitality of the community. He felt the task force should work on developing a job description for a communications specialist, and this would be presented to the city council. 0 1-15-92 -3- Chairperson Capshaw said he will be available to make a presentation to the City Council at its January 27, 1992 meeting. His emphasis will be on presenting the draft of the goals for the task force. The preliminary recommendations that will be forwarded to the City Council from the task force will include developing a communications plan; recommending that city council meetings should be broadcast 'on cable television if it can be done so inexpensively at the outset; and a full-time position responsible for marketing Brooklyn Center should be established and built around the communications plan. The task force would like to be involved in developing the job description. NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING The next meeting of the ad hoc city communications task force is scheduled for January 29, 1992, at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by member Benjamin and seconded by member Keehr to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center ad hoc city communications task force adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Geralyn R. Barone Recording Secretary 1-15-92 -4- ~s • •