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CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM 3A <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson <br />MEETING DATE: March 10, 2014 <br />TOPIC: Support for Legislation Regarding Publishing of Public Notices <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The Council is being asked to support a legislative bill that would allow local units of <br />government the option of publishing statutorily required public notices on their websites <br />instead of paying to publish notices in a newspaper. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Minnesota law currently requires cities to publish costly public notices in a "qualified <br />newspaper" designated by the city. This includes meeting minutes, new ordinances, <br />advertisement for bids, various financial reports, meeting and hearing notices, and notices of <br />elections and sample ballots. <br />Citizen access to the Internet has grown substantially the past two decades while the circulation <br />of most daily and weekly newspapers has declined. Because of this, cities have invested <br />heavily in websites and other electronic communication to ensure their residents have access to <br />timely information. Cities are also expected to operate their budgets in the most efficient and <br />effective way possible. <br />The League of Minnesota Cities supports SF 1152 and HF 1286, and is encouraging city <br />councils across the state to support this change. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Approve Resolution 14-22, supporting legislation allowing cities to publish official notices on <br />its website. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />Resolution No. 14-22 <br />LMC Talking Points Regarding the Alternative Publication Options for Cities <br />