6. PRSR 01-06-2001 Item # 6.
ity of -,
Elk it River MEMORANDUM
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Michele McPhersoKctor of Planning
DATE: January 6, 2001
SUBJECT: Planning Retreat—Consider Televising Commission Meetings
Request
The Commission is asked to consider televising its meetings, beginning in April
2001.
Analysis
IP Currently, the City televises two Council meetings and one Planning Commission
meeting each month, as well as two school board meetings. Televising public
meetings is a way to communicate with the public issues relating to development
and schools. The Commission is asked to consider televising its monthly
meetings, in order to build its constituent base, inform the public of park
development activities, as well as community recreation programming within the
community.
Staff understands that there may be a concern that televising the meetings will
inhibit the open discussions that occur in the current Commission setting. Staff
believes, however, that honest and open discussions can and should occur
within this public forum as a means of communicating with the public the values
and commitment that is felt by each of the Commission members in regards to
parks. This honest and open communication would clearly communicate the
Commission's desires to the public.
It is recommended that the Commission meetings not be televised until April of
2001, as a second cable staff person will be hired by that time. Their primary
responsibility would be to televise all evening meetings.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Commission discuss this issue and provide further
• direction to staff.
S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\PARKNREC\TELEVISE.DOC
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 • Fax(763) 441-7425