2012-09-19_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 19, 2012 Item 7.b Civic Engagement Task Force b) Explore new media channels (Facebook, YouTube, blogging, etc.) to connect with and actively engage Roseville citizens with an emphasis on two -way communication. c) Create an area of the website (or web -based communications) focused specifically on public engagement information and resources for citizens, including two -way communication (see Edina's Citizen Engagement blog as an example). 5.3 Policy Intent or Practice: The city should enhance access to City Council and commission agenda items, minutes, and recorded meetings through its (and/or North Suburban CTV's) website. We recommend the City: a) Publish approved city council and commission meeting minutes on the city website in a timely manner, such as within one week of approval. If public meeting minutes are not approved in a timely manner, such as within one month, publish draft minutes on its website until minutes are finalized. b) Offer the full text of meeting agendas in the body of email alerts rather than requiring the extra step to click a link to learn of the full agenda. c) Include a link to the specific recorded televised city meeting on the same page as the meeting minutes and /or agenda. Currently it takes at least 8 clicks through 2 different websites to access a specific recording, and these links are not easy to find. d) Ensure online video streaming is optimized for citizens at average connectivity. 5.4 Policy Intent or Practice, The city should foster direct and efficient email communication with public officials. Rationale: Citizens are more apt to contact public officials if provided a direct email address. Although the current online communication form allows citizens without email to make contact, it has its drawbacks: 1) citizens cannot send attachments with their emails, 2) citizens cannot retain a record of communications sent, 3) public officials cannot receive email immediately (esp. difficult over the weekend) and thereby cannot respond as efficiently and easily; and 4) staff time is spent forwarding messages unnecessarily. We recommend the City: a) Create and publish public, city - domain email addresses for city council members and commissioners to directly receive email from and send email to citizens on public matters without requiring city staff to manually forward such messages. (The online contact form may still be useful for individuals without email.) b) Automatically forward messages sent to the City Council's single email account to these new public addresses for council members. September 12, 2012, Penultimate Draft 1.2 13