HomeMy WebLinkAboutDesignation of Official Newspaper Memo
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: 1/15/2013
CONSENT
ITEM #: 6
MOTION: AS PART OF CONSENT
AGENDA ITEM: Designation of Official Newspaper
SUBMITTED BY: Adam Bell, City Clerk
THROUGH: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Cathy Bendel, Finance Director
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Council is respectfully requested to designate The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review as the
City’s official newspaper of record for 2013 and to designate the St. Paul Pioneer Press as the
alternate official newspaper to be used on an as needed basis.
BACKGROUND & STAFF REPORT:
Pursuant to Minn. State Statute § 412.831, the City Council is to select an official newspaper of
record for legal publications. The City received proposals from two potential candidates for the
role of the City’s official newspaper: The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review and The Lowdown – St.
Croix Valley Area. Those proposals are attached.
From a financial and timeliness perspective, City Staff has had an effective working relationship
with The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review as its official newspaper for the past few years. The
Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review meets all statutory requirements for legal publications, has a
reasonable publication schedule/deadline for submission, and its rates for publication are very
competitive.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press has been the back-up legal publication due to its shorter turn-around
for unexpected and time sensitive publication needs. Due to its much quicker publication and
vastly greater circulation, the Pioneer Press remains a viable back-up option. The City did not
receive a proposal from the Pioneer Press.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the foregoing considerations, it is respectfully recommended that the City Council
approve as part of the Consent Agenda designation of The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review as the
official newspaper of record and the St. Paul Pioneer Press as the alternate official newspaper to
be used on an as needed basis.
Alternatively, the City Council does have the authority to remove this item from the Consent
Agenda and further discuss and deliberate prior to taking action. The City Council may elect to
consider an alternate official newspaper if it so chooses. While tabling this item is not
recommended, if Council does choose to amend the motion, the new motion should read:
“Move to designate the __________ as the official newspaper of record for 2013 and
designate the __________ as the back-up official newspaper on an as needed basis.”
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Proposal from Lillie Suburban Newspapers, Inc. (The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review)
2) Proposal from Press Publications (The Lowdown – St. Croix Valley Area)
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item…………………………………….....City Administrator
- Report/Presentation………………………………………...City Administrator
- Questions from Council to Staff……………………………..Mayor Facilitates
- Public Input, if Appropriate………………………………….Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion…………………………………………Mayor & City Council
- Discussion………………………………………………Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion…………………………………………….Mayor Facilitates
AUTHORITY:
2012 Minnesota Statutes: § 412.831 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER.
The council shall, annually at its first meeting of the year, designate a legal newspaper
of general circulation in the city as its official newspaper, in which shall be published
such ordinances and other matters as are required by law to be so published and such
other matters as the council may deem it advisable and in the public interest to have
published in this manner.