02-13 Work Session CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
/ 144 1 Richfield, Minnesota
ire111hanl o,,,e`mn Special City Council Work Session
February 13, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Elliott at 6:00 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Pat Elliott, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Maria Regan Gonzalez; Michael Howard;
Present: and Simon Trautmann.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager/HR
Manager; Neil Ruhland, Media Coordinator; and Jared Voto, Executive
Aide/Analyst.
Item #1 THE CITY'S COMMUNICATION EFFORTS
Assistant City Manager/HR Manager Dmytrenko introduced the topic and Media Coordinator
Ruhland.
Media Coordinator Ruhland presented an overview of the past, current, and future
communication efforts of the City. Past efforts included social media, videos, the annual report,
website, civic engagement tools, and Channel 16. Current efforts included the City's communication
goals of expanding the City's communication reach, researching new avenues of communication, and
connecting more effectively with our diverse populations. Future efforts included developing the City's
brand, expanding social media presence, creating an external newsletter, creating a citizens
academy, leveraging a communications partnership with the Richfield schools.
Councilmembers asked questions and commented on language accessibility; the visual
elements of branding the City — knowing when you have entered Richfield; communicating how
people can become more involved in their community via a webpage, video, or citizen's academy;
"Did you know" social media posts; looking into the resources of our communications division as it
compares to other comparable cities; and resident notifications for items on the website (e.g. when
meeting agendas are published).
Assistant City Manager/HR Manager Dmytrenko asked the Council's thoughts on a new city
advisory commission regarding communications, as it had been brought up previously, or if an ad hoc
group may be a better route.
Mayor Elliott responded there were individuals who applied to commissions that may have
additional skills that may assist the City. He suggested Mr. Ruhland set a meeting with them to
discuss where they may be able to help, with the understanding that this is the voice of the City.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2- February 13,2018
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:59 p.m.
Date Approved: February 27, 2018
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L. Devich
Executive Aide/Analyst City Manager