1999-01-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Wilharber felt we should use our newsletter as a means to communicate with the residents. Council Member Sweeney suggested we should have one (1) designated person to work on the newsletter. Mr. Sweeney felt it would be too much information if we continued to print it quarterly, adding perhaps it should be printed monthly. He suggested maybe the City hire someone part time to take over the newsletter, or possibly be a public relations contact. Council Member Brenner offered the Council should be more pertinent to Centerville information included in the newsletter. Ms. Brenner also added it would be nice to have someone specifically trained as a newsletter editor. Council Member Travis questioned if Ry -Chel Gaustad is currently handling the newsletter. Mr. March confirmed and added that it is always approved by Council. Mayor Wilharber explained that we all have to do our part by making corrections and editing the newsletter before it goes to the printer for the final draft. Council Member Nelson stated if the City had a public relations person working on the newsletter, website and cable access, our residents would be better informed. Mari Nelson also questioned if Media Junction bills us. Mr. March confirmed the City pays Media Junction $50.00 per month, but added if anything major is added or revised (ie. the entire comprehensive plan), there would be additional fees. Council Member Nelson offered that this is very easy to do in house. Adding, that eliminating some council meetings and sending more information through e-mail or fax machines this would free up more staff time. Mayor Wilharber explained that the residents and committee members appreciate having a council member at their meetings. It had been mentioned to him in the past by some of the committees that their City Council liaison never shows up at their committee meetings. Council Member Sweeney offered if we had one person to handle the newsletter and take the meeting minutes it would take a lot of stress off everyone. Council Members Brenner and Nelson stressed it is important to get the committee and council minutes distributed immediately after the meetings. Council Member Brenner stated that the City hired a firm last year to complete a market analysis on the pay structure. Resulting in the staff receiving substantial raises and felt there is no reason why the minutes shouldn't be kept up to date, be more informative and better prepared. Theresa didn't feel it is necessary to hire another person - not to mention it is not in the budget. She thought it would be beneficial for the new council to review the pay study. Jim March mentioned some communities hire an off site service to take the meeting minutes. Mr. March also added the City has an excellent staff - in all departments. The staff here work diligently and well together without abusing the system or privileges. He 6