10.2. SR 08-06-2018 EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session August 6, 2018 Cal Portner, City Administrator
Item Description Reviewed by
Consider and Provide Direction - Outsource
Recreation Facility Information Reviewed by
Action Requested
Provide staff direction.
Background/Discussion
Staff would like the Council to discuss and consider engaging outside professionals to assist with
preparation of informational materials for the Local Option Sales Tax Referendum and planned
recreation facility improvements.
Financial Impact
Funds have not been allocated for communications consultation/preparation for this project.
Attachments
■ None
The Elk River Vision
A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAMIRE1
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Springsted
August 6, 2018
Mayor Dietz and City Councilmembers
Mr. Calvin Portner, Administrator
Ms. Lori Ziemer, Finance Director
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River. MN 55330
RE: Services Related to Referendum Communication
Springsted Incorporated
380 Jackson Street, Suite 300
Saint Paul, MN 55101-2887
Tel: 651-223-3000
Fax: 651-223-3002
www.springsted.com
Springsted was asked to provide information regarding services we offer to enhance
communications to the community related the proposed referendum asking whether or not a sales
tax should be authorized to support financing several projects including, arena improvements,
community meeting/activity space, a synthetic turf field house, senior center facility improvements,
youth athletic complex improvements, Lions Park improvements (consisting of any or all of meeting
space and demo/utility space enhancements to Lions Park Center, additional playfields, parking lot
improvements, trail improvements, and community picnic pavilion addition), Lake Orono park
improvements, dredging of Lake Orono and trail improvements.
Our services are communication services and guidance to develop a communication strategy for
the election. This service is not a lobbying activity. We are not persuading or promoting a certain
outcome. Rather, we are assisting by helping the City communicate in an efficient manner what is
being asked and the impact to the community, as a whole and individually, based on certain
assumptions.
The chart below lists a menu of options we are prepared to undertake in order to assist the City.
The two we believe are most useful at this juncture are (red highlighted letters in the chart):
(1) the on-site consultation to City Council and administration related to planning, organizing and
executing referendum, and
(2) annotated registered voter file and target structure
Public Sector Advisors
Elk River, Minnesota
August 6, 2018
Page 2
The services are discounted for current bond clients. Since Elk River has hired and works with
Springsted for municipal advisory services, the City is eligible for the discount shown in the left-
hand column.
In addition, if engaged, the City will have free access to Springsted's Referendum Resource Library
(examples of informational and advocacy media, phone scripts, videos, etc.)
Financial Advisory Client
Service
Pricing Availability
Client Pricina and Service
Availability
Master Tasks and Timelines
$500
$750
Excel -based planning guide
$1,000 (Ql)
$1,500 (Ql)
Programming for Web Tax
$250 (Q2)
Calculator
Each subsequent question -
$125(Q3)
$375
On-site consultation to City
Council and administration
related to planning,
No cost other than mileage and
organizing and executing
out of pocket expenses for bond
referendum strategies that
referenda. Hourlyrate f $215
o
Hourly rates for consultation,
only be done by the city
or $1,000 for five hours of
plus travel time, for operating
coordinating, but not
consultation for operating and
and technology referenda
leading, campaign activities
technology referenda
with an advocacy
Annotated registered voter
file and target structure;
includes both registered voter
data and a rich array of
demographic data (e.g., age,
$3,210
$3,510 (stand-alone)
gender, length of time in
community, housing type,
education level, household
income, past voting
frequency, and more).
Elk River, Minnesota
August 6, 2018
Page 3
Scr% ice
Financial Advisory Client
Pricing and Availability
Non -Financial Advisory
Client Pricing and Service
Availability
Communication planning
$90 - $140 per hour
on anot-to-exceed basis
Not available
Access to Springsted's
Referendum Resource
Library (examples of
No cost
Not available
informational and advocacy
media, phone scripts,
videos, etc.)
We have also been asked to provide information regarding services for creating brochures and
materials to be sent, accessed on line or handed out to constituents. We have not yet identified a
third- party firm who can assist with developing a brochure and other communications to the
community, but Springsted would be available to develop cost impact data, bonding and impact
information and to review and edit materials prepared by the City or a third -party firm who develops
such materials. This would be done on an hourly basis and charged at a fee of $215 per hour much
like the on-site consultation services listed above.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance.
Respectfully,
Terri Y. Heaton, Senior Vice President
Client Representative