HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-18 PACKET 04.N.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL AC710N CdUNCIL AGENDA
PviEETiNG ITEM #� q
DATE 11/18/98 �'. �,.J.
PREPARED BY Administration Ryan Schroeder
C7RIGiNATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST:
Review Mayor Denzer's letter #o South Washington County Telecommunications Gommission
BUDGET IMPLICATION
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
� MEMO/�ETTER: Letter from Mayor Denzer
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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City Administrator D te
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COUNCiL ieCTIOfV i AKcN: ❑ APPRG'VED ❑ DE"JIEC3 ❑ OTHER
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� Cottage Grove
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7576 80th Street South / Conage Grove, Minnesoto 55016 612 • 458-2600
November 16, 1998
Tom Creighton, Administrator
South Washington County Telecommunications Commission
445 Broadway Avenue South
Saint Paul Park, MN 55071
Dear Tom,
During election time we hear candidates talk about listening to, and informing the
public. Toward this end the City of Cottage Grove sends out a quarterly newsletter to
the citizens. With the same goal in mind we contribute, through assignment of
franchise fee revenue, toward administration of public cable television.
We attempt to keep our citizens informed by broadcasting our council and
commission meetings on the governmental cable television channel. These meetings
are also replayed a number of times at various times during the week. Public Safety,
Parks and Recreation, and other departments also use cable to get their message to
the residents of Cottage Grove.
It has been brought to the attention of the Cottage Grove City Council that
improvements in the current cable television system may be in order. The weekend
of October 23 — 25, Council Member Wolcott reported that he checked all weekend
to view the tapes that the candidates made for the election of November 3 All that
was apparentiy playing an our govemment channel was information about the library
hours that always play on channel 22. Any other tapes that were aired in addition
were apparently outdated. The tapes from the candidates finally were run during the
weekend of October 30 to November 1. However, there were myriad errors such as
no audio, or broadcast interruptions by other programming. Each of the candidates
spent a great deal of time completing these tapes so that the citizens could review
the information. It is unfortunate that more effort wasn't put into airing of this important
programming.
The election process is a very important one; perhaps requiring extra effort to ensure
the public is informed. Throughout the year, however, there are additional
opportunities to deliver a message, market an event, or provide general
communications utilizing cable television. For instance, with the major renovation of
our Public Works Facility one would have thought cable would have provided
coverage to the ribbon cutti�g. Our City Volunteer Recognition event was another
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
that was not covered this past year. These are but iwo of the missed opportunities
that cable television should provide to the citizenry and us.
A�rmative changes must occur to ensure that this cable resource is fully utilized.
First, events and ongoing City actions must be covered. Second, rebroadcasts must
be timely. Third, whatever needs to occur to ensure quality video and audio must
occur. Fourth, the cabie commission must work more closely with City staff,
commissions and Council to ensure future opportunfties are not missed.
Tne citizens dedicate a fair amount of franchise revenue to the cabie commission to
provide the resources necessary for quaiity govemmental programming. Together,
we need to ensure that these dollars provide the Ievel of benefit desired and
expected.
On behalf of the Cottage Grove City Council,
John D. Denzer
Mayor