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WS — Item 2 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 2 Date: July 7, 2008 To: City Council From: Mary Alice Divine Re: Charter Amendment Public Information Background A Lino Lakes City Council goal for 2008 -2009 is to review and update the City Charter so that it reflects and facilitates current and future needs of the city. One objective is to initiate a city- sponsored public information effort pertaining to the charter amendment ballot issue. The key action steps require (1) the development of a public information plan, including media resources, schedule and budget, and; (2) Council approval and implementation of a public information program. In order to move forward in a timely manner, the City Council will need to decide the strategies it wishes to use to ensure effective communication of the issues. Past Public Information Plans City staff has handled communications of the past charter referendums for local road improvements. Past methods for informing and educating the voters have not been effective in getting a positive outcome. The following methods for communication have been used for past referendums: 1. City Newsletter: the city newsletter has run articles about the city charter, the referendums, the Task Force charter amendment and other charter related issues regularly over the past years. (The city newsletter schedule is determined by Parks & Recreation programming needs. The fall newsletter is currently scheduled to be mailed in late August and the winter newsletter is scheduled to be mailed shortly after the election). 2. Fact Sheet mailings: When the city newsletter publication dates do not correspond to the schedule for distribution of timely information, special mailings are sent out to inform residents of the issues and about open houses. 1