09-18-23-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 7 Mayor Grant said he didn't mean Council shouldn't be recommending topics, he meant that he didn't know if a formal Council Liaison was needed any more. He thought topics like "how to keep deer out of my yard" were a Google search and he felt the newsletter should be information about the city they probably wouldn't get off a Google search. He knew there are some articles that the county requires be put in. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona explained that a topic like "what to do with dead animals" was driven from resident inquiries and a request from Public Works, and that would be the type of thing he would like defined. Is that a topic that wouldn't be appropriate even though it was resident driven? Mayor Grant said he understood that topic as it was more local and you might not find the information on a Google search. Councilmember Rousseau said she has submitted ideas to staff or Councilmember Fabel but she felt there was no process for committees to submit information for the newsletter or Facebook. Her preference was to continue have a Council Liaison for communications. She would like to see a series about the Public Works department. Councilmember Monson felt the Council's involvement should be limited to topics only, they should be avoiding politics and topics should be decided by staff or non -political topics from Council. She didn't think they needed a Council Liaison but ideas could be filtered through staff. She would be OK with staff starting over with topics that are included. The deadline suggested was fine. She thought staff should have the final say on what topics are included unless directed by Council. Feedback should be provided through a work session but be fairly limited. She has no desire to write articles for the newsletter as that is where she fears you get politics, and staff should have the final review. Mayor Grant said he has also heard from residents that the newsletter has become fluffier and doesn't have quite the information they want. Residents would like to know more about TCAAP. He felt the focus of the newsletter should be what information residents want to know. He thought topics should be those that relate to the city with the exception of information the County provides. It should include Benchmarks and cost of things being approved. Council and department directors should submit topics. He was OK with the proposed deadline. He felt staff should have final say, and he didn't want to write articles as it was easy to get political. He thought Council should proof the newsletter. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona said who has the final say before going to the printer is usually the City Administrator or the Communications Manager. Councilmember Holden agreed with Councilmember Monson. She said some of the big topics now are Round Lake, Lexington Avenue, the roundabout and Floral Park. She felt proofing was important and agreed with 10 issues a year. Councilmember Rousseau said she'd love information like the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) is meeting on Tuesday and they're talking about the plumes. She would like to see Parks and Rec opportunities highlighted like volunteer programs at Parkshore and Bark & Rec. She thought department directors could submit topics, along with Council and staff that are