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Home My WebLink About2014-022 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES RESOLUTION NO. 14-22 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEGISLATION ALLOWING CITIES TO DESIGNATE ITS WEBSITE TO PUBLISH PUBLIC NOTICES WHEREAS, cities are currently required by law to publish public notices in a designated official newspaper for the city (Minn. Stat. 331A); and WHEREAS, cities are committed to providing information to citizens and increasing access to information about city operations and business; and WHEREAS, citizens expect and insist on information in an immediate format; and WHEREAS, cites have limited resources and must utilize tax dollars in the most efficient way possible; and WHEREAS, cities should have the authority to determine the best and most efficient method of communicating information to citizens based on citizen expectations; and WHEREAS, cities are continually improving and investing in technology to reach more citizens in a timely manner; and WHEREAS, utilizing city websites to publish public notices would eliminate the costly burden of publishing in newspapers; and WHEREAS, city websites are increasingly the first place citizens look for information about their cities; and WHEREAS, the ability of city websites to provide citizens with detailed, up-to-date information exceeds that of print media. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes supports HF 1286 and SFR 1152, legislation now before the 2014 legislature, that would allow cities to publish certain public notices on their websites instead of an official newspaper. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes this 10th day of March 2014. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Council Member Roese r and was duly seconded by Council Member Kusterman and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Roeser, Kusterman, S.toesz, Reinert The following voted against same: Rafferty ATTEST: a e Bartell, Ci y Jeff Rei - e , ayor 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 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 3A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson MEETING DATE: March 10, 2014 TOPIC: Support for Legislation Regarding Publishing of Public Notices VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION The Council is being asked to support a legislative bill that would allow local units of government the option of publishing statutorily required public notices on their websites instead of paying to publish notices in a newspaper. BACKGROUND Minnesota law currently requires cities to publish costly public notices in a "qualified newspaper" designated by the city. This includes meeting minutes, new ordinances, advertisement for bids, various financial reports, meeting and hearing notices, and notices of elections and sample ballots. Citizen access to the Internet has grown substantially the past two decades while the circulation of most daily and weekly newspapers has declined. Because of this, cities have invested heavily in websites and other electronic communication to ensure their residents have access to timely information. Cities are also expected to operate their budgets in the most efficient and effective way possible. The League of Minnesota Cities supports SF 1152 and HF 1286, and is encouraging city councils across the state to support this change. RECOMMENDATION Approve Resolution 14-22, supporting legislation allowing cities to publish official notices on its website. ATTACHMENTS Resolution No. 14-22 LMC Talking Points Regarding the Alternative Publication Options for Cities Julie Bartell rom: Corcoran, Heather <hcorcoran@lmc.org> Friday, March 28, 2014 11:13 AM To: Julie Bartell Subject: RE: Lino Lakes Resolution Great, thank you! I appreciate it. As you probably know, Councilmember Stoesz is engaged on the topic—he had emailed me wondering if I had gotten the copy of Lino Lakes resolution after I posted on twitter about the other cities that had passed resolutions. I will email him to make sure he knows we received the copy and are grateful for it! From: Julie Bartell [mailto:julie.bartell@ci.lino-lakes.mn.us] Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 11:11 AM To: Corcoran, Heather Subject: RE: Lino Lakes Resolution Heather - I'll pass the request along to our city administrator. Thanks for the reminder. Julie From: Corcoran, Heather [mailto:hcorcoran@lmc.orq] Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 11:10 AM To: Julie Bartell Cc: Ziegler, Laura Subject: RE: Lino Lakes Resolution Hi Julie, Thank you for sending in your resolution! You have been added to our list, bringing us to 26 cities since we have first asked for resolutions in January. Would you be willing to also send a copy to your legislators? It is not urgent, but always great when they are aware of the issues their city has engaged on. Representative Linda Runbeck (R) District: 38A 295 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 651-296-2907 E-mail: rep.linda.runbeck@house.mn Senator Roger C. Chamberlain (R) District 38 Assistant Minority Leader 100 Rev. Dr. Martin 'Luther King Jr. Blvd. State Office Building, Room 129 St. Paul, MN 55155-1206 (651) 296-1253 sen.roger.chamberlain@senate.mn Thank you for your service to Lino Lakes and all cities in the state. 1 Have a great day, Heather From: Julie Bartell[mailto:julie.bartell@ci.Iino-lakes.mn.us] Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 3:50 PM To: Liaison Subject: Lino Lakes Resolution Please find attached a resolution approved by the Lino Lakes City Council supporting alternative publication. Julie Bartell City Clerk City of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 651-982-2406 651-982-2499 fax Julie. bartellgci.lino-lakes. mn. us Julie Bartell To: abject: rep.linda.runbeck@house.mn; sen.roger.chamberlain@senate.mn Lino Lakes Resolution Representative Runbeck and Senator Chamberlain: Please find attached a resolution recently passed by the Lino Lakes City Council. This resolution supports HF 1286 and SFR 1152, legislation now before the 2014 legislature, that would allow cities to publish certain public notices on their websites instead of an official newspaper. On behalf of the City Council, thank you for your consideration of this resolution. 20140325143133... Julie Bartell City Clerk City of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 651-982-2406 651-982-2499 fax 'lie. bartellna ci. lino -lakes. mn. us 1 Julie Bartell 'rom: Linda Runbeck <rep.linda.runbeck@house.mn> ,ent: Saturday, March 29, 2014 11:58 AM ‘."--"To: Julie Bartell; Sen.Roger Chamberlain Subject: Re: Lino Lakes Resolution Thanks, Julie. I don't know how much momentum the bill has and whether it will get to the floor for a vote, but I am inclined to support if (even though our friend Carter Johnson at the Quad Press will be unhappy). Linda Runbeck »> Julie Bartell<julie.bartell(a�ci.lino-lakes.mn.us> 03/28/14 4:20 PM »> Representative Runbeck and Senator Chamberlain: Please find attached a resolution recently passed by the Lino Lakes City Council. This resolution supports HF 1286 and SFR 1152, legislation now before the 2014 legislature, that would allow cities to publish certain public notices on their websites instead of an official newspaper. On behalf of the City Council, thank you for your consideration of this resolution. Julie Bartell City Clerk City of Lino Lakes 5'00 Town Center Parkway .ino Lakes, MN 55014 651-982-2406 651-982-2499 fax Julie. bartell/a ci. lino -lakes. mn. us 1