08/04/2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -2- August 4, 2008 APPROVED 46 2. Communication Consultant Proposal - Terri Heaton, Springsted, Inc. reviewed 47 the written report before the council. Springsted is responding to the council's request for 48 a proposal to assist the council with the proposed referendum regarding the current process 49 for bonding for road improvements that are partially assessed. They propose to partner in 50 the effort with a communications specialist (Dustin Deets) with referendum experience. 51 Springsted understands that they would have to remain flexible while the council discusses 52 the options. They could begin work immediately on preliminary items such research on 53 key considerations, analyzing plan components and some development. They see the role 54 of the communications plan as unbiased education for voters — providing the facts so the 55 voters can make an informed decision. They would like to have a key contact person at the 56 city with whom they would work. Regarding fees, they have laid out their hourly charges. 57 They would anticipate a not to exceed amount at some time in the process but are willing 58 to trust that will come together as the program unfolds. 59 60 A question was posed on whether Springsted could work with "both camps" since there are 61 obviously different points of views. The goal is voter education to give the citizens the 62 opportunity to make an educated decision. Ms. Heaton responded that they absolutely 63 would intend to provide unbiased information. They would prefer to have one group (such 64 as the council) directing the program however. 65 66 While the council sees the process evolving around the presentation of ideas and reasoning 67 from both (all) sides; there are some indisputable fact that there hasn't been a road 68 improvement in 30+ years. There is also the information provided in the professionally 69 produced Pavement Management Plan (PMP). 70 71 Ms. Heaton suggested that they (Springsted) could proceed at this point with a not to 72 exceed amount of $5,000 with the understanding there will be more information/discussion 73 soon. The Pavement Management Plan (PMP) would be the starting point for their work. 74 75 The council discussed that funding for the program would have to come from the 76 contingency fund. The council consensus was that something needs to move. 77 What elements would commence immediately? 78 79 Ms. Heaton suggested that 1) development of the question that the council wants to ask; 80 2) work with legal counsel on drafting language; 3) information provided to the 81 communication consultant. 82 83 It was clarified that the council can only put their current amendment proposal on the 84 ballot. 85 86 Administrator Heitke noted that the Charter Commission has a communication process in 87 place. Does the council want to offer the services of the consultant also? 88 89 A council member suggested that staff offer to the charter commission that there is a 90 professional communication service available to the commission and ask if they want to 91 participate in a process to objectively explain the charter language and proposals.