1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Norm Childress called the study session to order at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Present were: Mayor Childress and Councilmembers Helen Darr, Bill Flory, Pam Horner, Jan McDonald, Robert Morales, Javier Rodriguez and Joan Souders.

Staff present were: City Administrator Scott D. Staples, City Attorney Jack Maxwell and City Clerk Anita Palacios.

2. PUBLIC INFORMATION/MARKETING – 2006-2007 CITY COUNCIL TARGET

City Administrator Staples informed Council that staff had met and developed the following list of what was working well in terms of public information/marketing. Staff also outlined the following observations, needs and suggestions for improvement.

What is working well?

Community awards program
Home of the month
Business of the month
Newsletter
Annual water report
Block watch events
Community picnics
Website
Country Park reader board
Increased coverage by Daily Sun News
Use of door hangers
Distribution of information through elementary schools or school bulletins at middle school and high school
Word of mouth
Parks and Recreation brochures
Use of City Hall counter for materials
City Hall bulletin board

Observations/Needs/Suggestions

Telephone and written referral to contact person for communication in Spanish
Referral on website for Spanish translation
Low readership of Grandview Herald
Modify community picnic approach to have two (2) picnics downtown and add introductions and brief review of major city projects
Elected officials speaking at community groups
Electronic reader board at Wine Country Road/Grandridge to advertise community events
Make certain all city documents include website address
City website address on all city marked vehicles
Establish e-mail newsletter distribution list for regular, timely and cost effective communication to residents
Establish “Executive Alliance” of leaders of Grandview public agencies and major community organizations to meet on a monthly basis

City Administrator Staples advised that Deb Richards of the Grandview Herald had met with staff last week to discuss issues with respect to the Grandview Herald.

Following discussion, Council agreed to the concept of the improvements for public information/ marketing and instructed staff to begin implementation. With respect to the electronic reader board, staff was instructed to obtain cost estimates for consideration during the 2008 budget deliberations.

3. ADJOURNMENT

The study session adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

__________________________ __________________________

Mayor Norm Childress Anita Palacios, City Clerk