2020.03.02 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Discuss Neighborhood Meetings Mayor Johnson discussed the Mobile City Hall meeting that was held at Hansen Park. She noted this event was a tremendous success. Councilmember Dunsworth agreed stating the event was more personal than a more formal neighborhood meeting. She explained she was able to point residents in the right direction to address comments or concerns that they had. She indicated she was also able to have some nice conversations with residents and believed the residents really appreciated the community friendly event. Mayor Johnson anticipated 50 to 60 residents attended the event. Councilmember Burg commented she heard from a New Brighton resident that this was a great event. Massopust thanked the Council for this positive feedback. He stated in the past the Council has held two neighborhood meetings and one open house. He explained that staff was looking at how to better engage with the public which led staff to try the Mobile City Hall event. He proposed holding another Mobile City Hall event and that the open house meeting not be held. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned how community partners such as local officials, the Historical Society, and the community theater could be brought into the Mobile City Hall meetings. Mayor Johnson stated Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire could be invited to attend a Mobile City Hall meeting. She recommended the community partners be invited to attend the farmer’s market on a Community Partners Day. Councilmember Burg commented the City had better attendance at the open house when the meeting was held in the spring or October. Councilmember Allen supported the City holding more of the Mobile City Hall type expos. Councilmember Jacobsen stated he believed the Mobile City Hall style expos were much more valuable to the community. Mayor Johnson proposed having the next Mobile City Hall meeting at Freedom Park, with future events to follow at Sunnyside and Totem Parks. She suggested an event also be considered at Vermont Park. The Council supported this recommendation. Councilmember Dunsworth suggested staff create a community calendar to put all of the City sponsored events in one place including the community bonfire, blood drives, the farmer’s market, the Mobile City Hall meeting, the cookout at Vermont Park, etc. She believed this would be beneficial given the fact the City no longer had a local newspaper. Massopust stated he could pull this information together. Worksession adjourned at 7:31 pm Respectfully submitted, Terri Spangrud City Clerk