10-08-1980 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES 300 HANOVER BUILDING 480 CEDAR STREET ST. PAUL, MN 55101 A Review of Activities for Local Government Day As you may have noticed in discussing plans for observing Local Government Day, most of the activities that can be planned are free or with a nominal cost. Surprisingly, these events probably have the most value in attracting publicity and in reaching numbers of your citizens. Consider these possibilities: 1. Dedication of a new building, park or development area. 2. An open house at city hall: Several activities can be included under this general plan: tours of city hall, wastewater plant,fire hall; exhibits of new equipment, demonstrations of a new computer (for instance) or voting machines; a program recognizing the service of long -time city employees; recognition of citizen volunteers on planning commissions and other committees. The occasion could be made more gala by serving refreshments (possibly donated by some local group) or the giving of a souvenir, something specifically meaningful in your community (like a piece of taconite on the Iron Range, for example). 3. Swapping roles. There are several variations on this activity: The mayor can exchange his position for a day with a mayor from a nearby city; the mayor and council can swap jobs with community leaders; high school students can become the "council for a day" (St. Cloud is planning to do so) - this can be a learning experience if the students develop their own agenda in class. 4. Speaking by city officials. The mayor and council would want to discuss and prepare material for various projects, programs, or developments to present to various community groups. You could speak at luncheon meetings of service clubs; at meetings of the League of Women Voters, garden club, college groups; at school assemblies. You could also get a spot on a local radio or TV program or have a council meeting broadcast on cable TV. If you have a community college, voc -tech school, or state university in your area, you would want to involve it in any plans you make. Students could be helpful in carrying out your ideas with graphics and other publicity materials. A way to spread the word about any program you have planned or about city services in general is to stuff it in with utility bills. You can reach most of your con- stituents this way. You will probably think of other ways to celebrate - like painting your watertower or something especially your own. .Please let the League know what you do. The V League hopes you can find some appropriate way to observe the Day. LK:rmm 9/25/80 35