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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 10, 2016 Page 23 Mayor Roe noted this report had been presented several meetings ago; and reiter- ated his and the City Council's appreciation for the work of the Neighborhood Association Task Force and CEC. Mayor Roe referenced meeting minutes in- cluded in tonight's agenda packet as attachments to the RCA, and summarized the City Council's last discussion and conclusion of the body for baby steps, and to- night's subsequent discussion to better identify those steps going forward. Councilmember Laliberte Since the last discussion, Councilmember Laliberte reviewed the process taken to get to this point, and addressed misperceptions or statements made contrary to the actual intent of the CEC and City Council. Councilmember Laliberte clarified that no one on either body was advocating for or mandating neighborhood associ- ations anywhere in the city. However, Councilmember Laliberte there had been some polarity throughout the process, as well as some disappointment. Coun- cilmember Laliberte noted there had been considerable discussion and struggle among the CEC members and individual City Council members specific to defin- ing the legality of associations, what the city funded, and limits to any funds ex- pended as part of or as a result of the initial report recommendations. Councilmember Laliberte suggested starting tonight's discussion with those areas where everyone was in agreement, including goals to build more cohesive neigh- borhoods and connections for the benefit of all versus reactionary associations to some impending doom or other volatile issue. Councilmember Laliberte opined the intent was for these neighborhood associations to provide safety, connection and trust; and further opined the City Council could facilitate those goals. As suggested by Mayor Roe, Councilmember Laliberte agreed that small steps could be taken for those areas of agreement. Councilmember Laliberte noted each neighbarhood was unique and opined that organic and informal were just as good as a more formal neighborhood associa- tion with bylaws and leadership. Councilmember Laliberte opined that either op- tion would prove successful based on natural leadership within a given neighbor- hood that couldn't always be guaranteed, but if neighbors were driven to organize may not remain within that given leadership role or even within that neighbor- hood. However, Councilmember Laliberte acknowledged that the City Council was in agreement that the city didn't have sufficient staff to spearhead neighbor- hood associations or serve as community liaisons, referencing the City of St. Lou- is Park and City of Edina Models provided as part of the report. Councilmember Laliberte referenced her discussions with the Police Depart- ment's Community Relations Coordinator Corey Yunke related to current block captains and ongoing visits in neighborhoods by Police and Fire Department per- sonnel during various events or neighborhood activities. With approximately 150 identified block captains, Councilmember Laliberte suggested focusing on them to increase communications, possibly through a city newsletter component to en-