HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.a. LMC "Building Quality Communities" Campaign Affirmation � CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
CITY COLJNCIL MEETING DATE: AUGUST l, 2000
AGENDA ITEM: LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES AGENDA SECTION:
"BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES" (BQC) CAMPAIGN DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
AFFIRMATION
PREPARED BY: PAULA GRAFF, AGEND �j
HUMAN RESOURCES/ COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR � I���' ���� Y ;�
ATTACHMENTS: RESOLUTION & INFORMATION FROM APPROVED BY:
THE LEAGUE ABOUT THE BQC CAMPAIGN
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Those of you who attended the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference this year know that the League
recently launched a public education campaign titled"Building Quality Communities (BQC)." This two-year
program is envisioned as a grassroots effort among all cities to enhance the perception of Minnesota cities and
increase citizen trust and participation in their local government.
The campaign focuses upon some key messages or phrases that have meaning for two target audiences: citizens
and legislators. The key messages are based on what was learned at focus group discussions held by the League
and include statements such as " Cities work for safe neighborhoods," and"Cities create economic vitality."
The League is asking that member cities to pass a resolution committing their participation and then integrate
the BQC key messages into city communications.
To date, information regarding the campaign has been placed into the City newsletter that will be published
later this month. Passage of the resolution will pledge City involvement in this campaign and will assure future
communication of the League's key messages.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION TO AFFIRM THE RESOLUTION COMMITTING THE CITY
OF ROSEMOUNT TO THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES "BUILDING QUALITY
COMMLTNITIES" CAMPAIGN.
COUNCIL ACTION:
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2000—
A RESOLUTION COMMITTING THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT TO THE LEAGUE OF
MINNESOTA CITIES "BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES" CA1��IPAIGN
WHEREAS, the top values and priorities of citizens are safety, family,job opportunities, good health
care, the well-being of children, good schools, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, many of the services cities provide directly enhance those citizen priorities; and
WHEREAS, the connection between city services and how they benefit citizen priorities and concerns
is not always understood by citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is one of the responsibilities of city officials to ensure legislators, media and citizens
understand their governments through open and frequent communication using various avenues and
means; and
WHEREAS, it is important to encourage citizens to actively participate in city government, to share
their views, and to work in partnership with city officials to ensure that the needs of the community are
met; and
WHEREAS, partnerships developed between citizens and city officials can result in greater
understanding of the connection between Minnesota's high quality of life and the services provided by
Minnesota cities, as well as in greater trust by citizens in the efforts of their elected and appointed city
officials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Rosemount hereby declares its
commitment to and participation in joining this Building Quality Communities statewide educational
effort with the 816 members of the League of Minnesota Cities.
ADOPTED this ls` day of August, 2000 by the City Council of the City of Rosemount.
Cathy Busho, Mayor
Linda Jentink, City Clerk
Motion by: Second by:
Voted in favor:
Voted against:
Members absent:
Minnesota Cities:
Building Quality Communities
BAC KG RO U N D
In the past few years, members of the League of Minnesota Cities have become concerned about
what some state legislators and other groups are saying about city government. More and more
comments seem to describe cities as special interest groups, rather than as representatives of
Minnesota citizens. Add to that a disconnection from govemment felt by a growing number of
Americans, especially among young people, and League leaders decided to take action.
Cities are the means to"community."We work in the interest of the families and businesses that
live and work in our communities, and we are major contributors to qualiry of life in Minnesota.
This is the message we must make clear to "key influencers"— legislators, the media, other
influential groups — and directly to our citizens.
Last year, the LMC Board of Directors worked with a public relations firm to obtain candid feedback
from citizens and key influencers to determine what quality of life means to them and how their
ciry government helps contribute to that quality of life. Through focus groups and one-on-one
interviews, we heard from citizens and key influencers about their top priorities for a high quality
of life.
Top Priorities of Quality of Life
• Safety
• Family
• ]ob opportunities
• Good health care
• Good schools
• Recreational opportunities
• Strong sense of community
From these findings, we developed key messages and the foundation of the Building Quality
Communities effort. Since many of these priorities reflect the services cities provide to Minnesota
citizens, city officials can begin to connect the value of city services to the values of our citizens.
The mission of Building Quality Communities
1. To enhance the perception of Minnesota city governments and city officials.
2. To reinvigorate and increase citizen involvement in city government.
3. To reinstill a sense of pride in public service, inspiring young people to seek
careers in city government.
The key to achieving this mission is a grassroots efFort among all cities, focusing on clearly and
consistently making the connection between the work of city governments and the high quality of
life Minnesotans experience.
We also will work to:
• Seek effective ways to get citizens involved in building their community.
• Continue improving our partnership with legislators and the media.
• Strengthen our collaboration with other community groups.
For more information and resources, visit the League's BQC Web site: wrvw.lmnc.org/bqc/home.htrn
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Minnesota Cities:
Building Quality Communities
KEY M ESSAG ES
Key messages are concise, memorable phrases that have meaning for target audiences. The
phrases describe the mission of an organization or program and help to focus efforts to achieve
that mission.
The key messages for the Building Quality Communities campaign are based on what we learned
from our focus group discussions and interviews with citizens, key influencers, and legislators. By
integrating the BQC key messages into your city's communications, you can convey the connection
between what cities do and quality of life in your community. (Please see sample ads in right
folder pocket.)
KEY MESSAGES FOR CITIZENS
Cities...
• ... work for safe neighborhoods
• ... create economic vitaliry
• ... provide opportunities for all citizens
• ... value children and families
• ... encourage citizen involvement in community building
• ... foster pride in community
• ... work in the interest of citizens .
• ... plan for the community's future
KEY MESSAGES FOR LEGISLATORS
Cities...
• ... plan for the community's future
• ... encourage citizen involvement in community building
• ... work in the interest of citizens
• ... improve the quality of life for Minnesotans
For more information and resources, visit the League's BQC Web site: www.lmnc.org/bqc/home.htrnl
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Minnesota Cities:
Building Quality Communities
TIPS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Building Quality Communities is about takiny charge of the way your ciry is perceived by your
residents, legislators, and the media. It is not about creating a new program, but about integrating
the BQC effort into what your city is already doing to communicate with citizens, legislators, the
media, and community groups. It is also designed to be easily implemented by cities of all sizes.
The following are tips for how you as an elected ofFicial can jump-start the Building Quality
Communities campaign in your community. In addition to these tips and the other items contained
in this packet, the League will regularly send participating BQC cities tools and resources to help in
the effort.
• Pass the enclosed BQC resolution at a city council meeting to make your city a participant
in the Building Quality Communities effort.
• As part of this resolution, designate a key contact person for this initiative and inform the
League of your BQC staff contact. This person should work closely with the stafF person in
charge of communications. (See enclosed resolution.)
• Show the Building Quality Communities video at a council meeting, or in your
presentations to businesses and community groups.
• Think of ways to use the key messages in your communication with citizens,the
media and legislators.The key messages should directly relate to a city service that adds
value to the community and quality of life. (See enclosed key messages and examples of how
to use them.)
• Use the key messages in your talks at community events and other community
activities such as business openings, award ceremonies, or state of the city address.
• Encourage city staff to think of ways to use the key messages in your city newsletter,
internal communications, press releases, brochures, and your city's Web site.
• Seek partnerships with businesses and influential community groups to collaborate
with the city in the BQC effort.
For more information and resources, visit our new Web site: www.lmnc.org/bqc/home.htrn