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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JUNE 20, 2016 2 Ms. Kvilvang indicated the redevelopment of TCAAP presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to manage the reuse of a large part of the city for a sustainable future. Along with this opportunity comes a complex communications challenge. The success of the development depends to a significant degree on the ability of the City, the JDA, the Master Developer, and their spokespeople to communicate clearly, effectively and persuasively about the goals, objectives, and processes surrounding the development. How the City participates in this process and communicates about the development will play a significant role in the degree to which businesses and residents understand and support it. Ms. Kvilvang stated in order to be successful, large and complex projects such as this require significant and continual communication to the public. In 2007, the City hired Davis Communications to assist with the development and implementation of a communications plan that included the following objectives: • Increase understanding among residents and other key audiences of the opportunities presented by the potential redevelopment of the TCAAP site. • Develop understanding of the goals, objectives and timelines of the TCAAP development. • Create communications channels between the City and stakeholders within the community and those within other communities who will have an impact on the successful redevelopment of the site. • Build support for the City’s vision among stakeholders who will have an impact on the success of the redevelopment project. Ms. Kvilvang commented to ensure residents are well informed about various aspects of the development and to provide an avenue to address development and community concerns/issues in a timely, effective and efficient manner, she would recommend that the City hire a communications consultant. This consultant would be charged with updating the City’s prior communications plan and act as the central communications coordinator. This will include coordinating and/or developing press releases with the JDA and Master Developer, coordinating any updates in the City newsletter or website, preparation of key messages for various aspects of the project, and acting as a central contact for media inquiries and responses. Ms. Kvilvang stated as a point of reference, the City received two proposals in 2007 when they hired a consultant (Davis and Goff) and selected Davis based upon interviews and pricing (Goff is currently the communications consultant for the JDA). The original communications plan cost $8,500 and at the time, Ted Davis had an hourly rate to complete all other communication aspects of $150/hour. It was her recollection that the City had a positive working relationship with Mr. Davis and was pleased with his services. She recommended approaching Mr. Davis to provide a proposal to update the communications plan and hourly rate requirement. Councilmember Holden supported the City hiring a consultant. Councilmember Holmes did not believe that Mr. Davis provided the City with any product in the past.