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At the June 5, 2023 Council Work Session, Todd Stone of Rapp Strategies, Inc. presented <br />services their company provides local units of governments specific to public information and <br />community engagement. <br />Discussion: <br />To date Council engaged CSL for an economic feasibility of the project, Kodet Architects to <br />develop concept plans, Jill Brown and Associates to assist with community education, and <br />Morris Leatherman to conduct a community survey. Those results presented at this meeting, <br />but indicate community support of a local option sales tax. Council also has contracted with <br />Libby Law for Governmental Relations services specific to a $16.5 million bonding request <br />and authorization to present voters with a local option sales tax. In the 2023 session, a bill <br />was introduced for each with the sales tax legislation being adopted and authorized. <br />Mounds View was not included in the 2023 bonding bill, which was a "leftover/undone" bill <br />from the previous session. Our bill is still active for the 2024 session and we have submitted <br />and received confirmation of the official Minnesota Management Budget process. <br />Rapp Strategies is a highly respected and very successful firm in terms of assisting local units <br />of Government in providing public information and community engagement with their clients <br />achieving a very high rate of success. <br />State statute prescribes public information/community engagement parameters, and Rapp <br />Strategies has strong experience at ensuring our efforts will be consistent with those <br />requirements. <br />The ballot date question is still yet to be determined, November of 2023 or 2024 as the <br />language adopted simply states General Election. K & G continues to work on the issue, with <br />the League and other cities (22 received authorization) to determine the when. <br />If the ballot question is November of 2023, Mr. Stone of Rapp Strategies indicated sufficient <br />time exists. If it were to be 2024, Staff discussed with Mr. Stone a 2024 scenario, in which we <br />would still build a work plan, microsite, and messaging program before the end of the year; <br />then begin executing a communications plan through November 2024. <br />Strategic Plan Strategy/Goal: <br />Diverse livable community <br />Financial Impact: Contract is monthly at $6,000 per month, services dependent upon ballot <br />determination. Range will be 5 months 7 months. Five months (now through November). If <br />2024 ballot, Rapp Strategies will create an alternate work plan for services not to exceed <br />$50,000 with incidentals that will include 90 days of activity to build a plan, microsite, etc. <br />Recommendation: <br />Adopt resolutions 9762 <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator <br />