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Joint School Board No. 623/City Council Work Session Monday,June 26,2012 Page 12 City Manager Malinen advised that it was the City's policy to connect all of its facilities, as well as those of the School District, then its business partners. Mr. Malinen reviewed various Wi-Fi and fiber network opportunities; with city-wide opportunities not yet available, since that was a very challenging, and often unsuccessful aspect. Mr. Malinen reviewed the current renegotiation between the City and Comcast through the North Suburban Cable Commission to continue providing public, educational and government access without charge through that re- negotiated agreement. Dr, Thein sought assurances that the School District also has a voice in those negotiations to ensure their needs were well-represented. Dr. Thein noted that any changes created a concern on their part, since it could have a major impact on their operations and services. City Manager Malinen advised that the Access Corporation did a fairly good job of seeking input through their focus groups and development of the Needs Assessment; and noted that Mayor Roe served on their Board of Directors. Dr. Thein addressed his major areas of concern, including future facility needs balanced with changing demographics and deteriorating and/or aging buildings and long-term impacts for the City and School District based on changing demographics, requiring awareness and collabora- tion. Chair Gogins addressed an area of concern for her related to unintentional institutionalized rac- ism; and her desire to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment, and taking opportuni- ties to address this often challenging and often overlooked issue. Dr. Thein concurred, noting that the School Board, and probably the City Council as well, saw most of the speakers before it to be 95-99% Caucasian. However, Dr. Thein noted that the di- versity was in the community. Therefore, Dr. Thein concurred that it was necessary to find informal ways to get the community together and interact; and opined that it would make a re- ally big difference for the School District and the City to make those groups feel more com- fortable dealing with the School District and/or City administration. Mayor Roe opined that it was not always just those from different cultures who were uncom- fortable working with local government; and sometimes just those new to the community or not used to understanding the workings of that government structure. Mayor Roe noted that there were types of efforts that everyone could do; and opined that it made sense for both bod- ies to focus on those areas, and build on the connections made over the last few years by find- ing even more opportunities. Dr. Thein opined that it was a blessing to have the current diversity of membership on the School Board; noting that it made the body look at things from different perspectives. Councilmember Pust suggested that communication efforts continue between the bodies, whether through staff or elected officials sitting in on discussions or participating in work- shops.