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t_AGUE OF --MINNESOTA CITIES #lmcleg CONNECTING & INNOVATING SINCE 1913 Alternative Publication Options for Cities Improving and Increasing Access to Government Information The League supports SF 1152/HF 1286 which would allow cities to determine whether web publication should replace or supplement newspaper publication of public notices. Background Minnesota state law currently requires cities to publish certain types of information in one "qualified newspaper" designated by the city. These items are referred to as "official notices," "legal notices" and "public notices" in state statute. While the requirements vary based on a city's population, most cities must publish: meeting minutes; new ordinances; advertisements for bids; various financial reports; meeting and hearing notices; and notices of elections and sample ballots. Key Messages: Improving and Increasing Access to Information • Technology has changed dramatically since this mandate became law more than 60 years ago. o Cities rely on and value citizen engagement and participation and have invested heavily in city government web sites and other electronic communication (such as text message notification, email alert systems, and social media). • Some community newspapers publish only once or twice a week, or less. o Citizens expect and demand timely information via electronic communication tools that allow for instant, updated communication. • Current law requires publication of notices in a single area newspaper. o Cities served by multiple newspaper publications are mandated to publish costly notices that only reach small segments of their community's residents. Alternative Publication Options Fit with Governor Dayton's "Un -Session" The goal of the 2014 "Un -Session" is to "improve service, shorten wait times, eliminate old and outdated rules, and undo anything else that makes government nearly impossible for people to understand." It is time to: • Eliminate outdated publication requirements of where notices are published that no longer represent the current state of technology nor how Minnesotans access information. Increasing options would neither change what information needs to be published nor when it needs to be published, only where it can be published. • Shorten wait times by providing instant, updated and timely information to Minnesotans in a format they expect. • Improve service by allowing for local control. For some cities, newspaper publication will still remain the best option. For the 75% of cities with their own websites (90% in larger and/or metro communities), online publication may be more cost efficient and reach more residents. Residents may request paper copies of official notices mailed to their residence. Questions? Please contact Ann Lindstrom at (651) 281-1261 or alindstrom@lmc.org. 145 UNIVERSITY AVE. WEST PHONE: (651) 281-1200 FAX: (651) 281-1299 ST. PAUL. MN 55103-2044 TOLL FREE: (800) 925-1122 WEB: WWW.LMC.ORG