12-09-2025 City Council Workshop Packet

Home Browse Search

Communications STAFF REPORT DATE:12/09/25 WORKSHOP TO: Mayor and Councilmembers FROM: Kathie Smith, Communications Coordinator AGENDA ITEM: City of Lake Elmo Strategic Communications Plan CORE STRATEGIES: ☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure BACKGROUND: The City of Lake Elmo has not previously had a formal Communications Plan. As the community continues to grow and public expectations for transparency, accessibility, and timely information increase, it has become essential for the City to establish a structured approach to communications. This Communications Plan has been developed to strengthen public engagement, improve consistency across departments, and align communication practices with organizational goals. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Presentation of the City of Lake Elmo Strategic Communications Plan to be officially brought for approval at the December 16, 2025, City Council meeting. PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The proposed Communications Plan presents a strategic framework for how the City communicates with residents, businesses, partners, and media. It includes guiding principles, communication goals, brand standards, messaging strategies, roles and responsibilities, and a general structure for emergency communication. The plan was developed through internal collaboration with City Administration, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, and Finance. It addresses current communication tools—including the website, social media, newsletters, and public meetings. Adopting this plan will help standardize communication practices, improve information flow both internally and externally, and ensure that staff and elected officials share a common approach to delivering accurate, timely, and valuable information to the public ATTACHMENTS: Strategic Communications Plan