HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 08 16 MinutesCommunications and Technology Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2016
1. Call to order/Roll call
CTAC Chair Jessica Weber called the meeting to order.
Roll Call:
Brett Anderson ············· Present
Jim Anderson ················ Present
Don Breidenbach ·········· Absent
Erik Juhl ························ Present
Jessica Weber ··············· Present
Annette Thompson ······· Present
Dave Elbon ···················· Present
2. Approval of minutes
The January 26 minutes were corrected to show the correct meeting date and then were
approved as amended.
3. Old business
A. Update on Building Permit Software
Elbon reported that he had expected it to go through council, but it hasn’t yet. If it gets
approved, likely rollout will be fall, which is better because it’s not as busy.
4. New business
A. Nextdoor
Elbon is hoping to use social media more, and Nextdoor has come up a number of times. A
Prior Lake resident who uses Nextdoor has offered to come in and demonstrate how it
works from a resident’s perspective, bringing some friends from her neighborhood who
also use it.
Juhl showed what a “regular user” account looks like and did a walkthrough of the City of
Bloomington’s agency account. An agency can post messages, urgent messages, and
events, either to all neighborhoods within the agency’s boundaries or to selected
neighborhood(s). Agencies can see limited information about people who “thank” their
posts or comment on posts. Agencies can communicate with neighborhood leads. Agency
accounts can not read what’s happening in city neighborhoods.
B. SiteImprove
A SiteImprove vendor representative offered Elbon a webinar about how their service
works. They ran a link check on the PL website and found 50 dead links, which was an
impressive way to show their capabilities.
Elbon noted that many metro cities are using SiteImprove. Juhl suggested that it may be
appropriate for CTAC to formally advocate purchasing this service if Elbon wishes to pursue
it with council.
C. Lakes Advisory Committee Visit,
D. Traffic Safety Committee Visit
(Both were talked about simultaneously)
Elbon visited the Lakes Advisory Committee and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to make
the connection between them and communications. He shared a tools sheet that Michael
had set up and reminded them that communications can help them get the word out wh en
they need assistance with publicity.
Elbon discussed an idea to create a number of 30-second videos about advisory
committees and other subjects with a goal of embedding the videos directly on the proper
page on the website. This is likely feasible using a feature built into the content
management of the new site.
Upcoming events [i. Sheriff presentation – water safety; ii. Dive the Lake (First weekend in
June); iii. Spring Lake Restoration Project (May 21) ; iv. Carp Tournament (May 28)] – Elbon
will attempt to get video at some or all of these events.
If CTAC members should happen to go, it would be helpful to take pictures and video even
with a phone camera for Dave’s use in this manner. In fact, for any citywide event a CTAC
member attends: Elbon asked that we please consider taking videos and providing them to
him.
E. Emerald Ash Borer Communication Plan
Elbon and Lori Olson got together with Prior Lake Public Works staff and Savage staff to
begin a collaborative effort as to how to address the Emerald Ash Borer issue. The
Department of Agriculture really is the lead as to messaging etc.
Staff are assembling a vendor list of trustworthy vendors. Elbon noted that some vendors
have been using pressure tactics with PL residents to try to sell their tree services.
Staff are planning an interview with the Prior Lake American.
Elbon plans to add an EAB slide to the website’s home page.
The city will likely target mailers toward residents in the vicinity of known EAB activity
(they have been confirmed at 150th Street so this would be the first target of such a mailed
flyer).
Elbon will also convey EAB information via Facebook.
F. Integra Service Reports
Elbon received a printout of Integra service tickets that was 40 pages long. Any time
someone calls in a service ticket is created. Actual outages are far less common. Usually
they are the result of a cut line that affects the whole neighborhood. An outage will usually
also result in one or more service tickets because of people calling in to report the ou tage.
The Integra survey results report 90% + approval ratings for their service.
After further analyzing the information he has received, Elbon will give a detailed report.
Committee discussed Elbon’s occasional role as a go-between between residents an
Mediacom/Integra. As franchise holder, City (i.e. Elbon) is sometimes able to step in and
mediate a solution.
Weber noted that Mediacomm gets a lot of bad press on Nextdoor. A discussion followed
about varying service levels as perceived by various individuals.
G. Assign Committee Liaisons
Lakes Advisory Committee Brett
Parks Advisory Committee Jessica
Traffic Safety Committee Dave
Community Safety Committee Erik
5. Announcements and Correspondence
5A. Cable Position Posted
Elbon noted that PL has posted the cable position and applications are being accepted. An
Interviews are expected to be held in the next few weeks.
5B. Mediacom thank you note
Dave received a nice thank you note in appreciation for hi s good work regarding a
Mediacom issue.
6. Adjournment
Weber moved to adjourn, B. Anderson seconded, and meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Minutes were compiled by Erik Juhl.