HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.08.17 Work Session Packet CityofFamvngton Mission Statement
430 Third Street Though teamwork and
Farmington,MN 55024 cooperation, the City of
Farmington provides quality
services that preserve our proud
past and foster a promising
future.
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
May 8, 2017
6:30 PM
Farmington City Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVE AGENDA
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
(a) City Communications Discussion
(b) Review Cable Fund
(c) 2018/2019 Budget Discussion
4. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
(a) Review of Oustanding Items
5. ADJOURN
rlls ►, , City of Farmington
430 Third Street
Farmington, Minnesota
49► 651.280.6800 -Fax 651.280.6899
' .A now, www.ci.farmington.mn.us
TO: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
FROM: Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: City Communications Discussion
DATE: May 8, 2017
INTRODUCTION
Staff plans to review the city's communications strategy and methods with council to ensure city
communications remain relevant and effective.
DISCUSSION
Staff will provide an overview of the city's most common communication methods to give council a better
understanding of how they are developed, produced and published.
Staff will also review the attached drafts of our updated Communications Guide and City Branding and
Writing Style Guide. The Communications Guide outlines the city's communication strategy and goals; and
provides a brief synopsis of our communication methods. The City Branding and Writing Style Guide is
intended to provide all city employees with the information they need to ensure that city communications are
written in a clear, accessible style that is consistent with the city's branding efforts.
BUDGET IMPACT
NA
ACTION REQUESTED
For city council information and discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
Type Description
D Backup Material Communications Guide 2017
D Backup Material City Branding and Writing Style Guide
•
Communications Guide
Introduction to Communications
The city of Farmington is officials in order to effectively Resources,Liquor Operations,
responsible for delivering communicate information to Municipal Services,Parks and
public services to its residents. the public. Recreation,Public Works,and
The dissemination of public The Communication Guide Police.
information is an important is a flexible document that The departments educate
part of delivering these changes to meet the needs of people through city
services. audiences and in response to communications about the
The Communications Guide changes in staffing,budgets, services they offer Farmington.
provides a variety of options and city priorities. Much of the city's success is
to be used when planning and City Departments dependent upon the ability
executing communication City employees work within of each department to
efforts.It identifies various departments,which include communicate internally
tools and channels of and externally.
Administration,Community
communication used by city Development,Engineering,
of Farmington staff and city
Finance,Fire,Human
Communication Goals
• Maintain continuous open and Target Audiences
honest communications. It is important to identify the • Civic organizations and
• Improve and maintain audiences you want to reach. volunteer groups
communication and Target audiences include: • Prospective new residents,
collaboration with the public new businesses,and business
and stake holders. • City residents
owners
• City businesses and groups
• Improve,maintain,and promote • School District 192
internal communication (Farmington Business
and teamwork. Association and Dakota County • Stakeholders(our partners,
Regional Chamber of Commerce) policy makers,coworkers,
• Establish and maintain a positive • Media-local and regional contractors,civic
relationship with the media. organizations,vendors,and
•• Promote and educate residents, Neighboring cities,townships, volunteers;any person or
businesses,and stake holders and their residents group with a vested
about city events and services. interest in the city's success)
Secondary Audiences • Strategy
Secondary audiences are those It is important to have a strategy to reach each audience.
organizations or individuals Communication methods are used in coordination with each
that are not necessafily other to reach and engage audiences. The city's most common
targeted for our messages. methods are listed below and they are highlighted in this guide.
They include other cities
offering competitive programs Electronic/Digital Media Television/Video
and services,and visitors Social Media Surveys 71:
who develop and share their Print Partnershipsimpressions of Farmington. Advertising/Marketing Internal ,
Electronic/Digital Media
Electronic and digital • City council and planning Social Media/Website Policy
communications are vital to commission meeting The city's social media policy
reach people quickly.A variety live and archived videos includes guidelines for posting
of methods are used to reach • City YouTube Channel information;it is available to
audiences that use these • Laserfiche-archived city the public on the city's website
types of media including web, records/documents and Facebook page.The city's
mobile,video,email,and • Mobile App website and social media
social media. tools are intended for city
• Recreation program
Website registration related business and inclusive
www.ci.farmington.mn.us • Share photos to governmental,non-profit
The city's website provides • Sharethis(share via social media) organizations and agencies of
which the city is affiliated.
the public with up-to-date • Utility bill payment
information.It is a priority Employees representing the
to keep the website as user- Social Media city via social media and
friendly as possible. Social media is any web-based the website must conduct
Website amenities include: tool that allows users to share themselves accordingly and
information with each other abide by all applicable city
• City calendars online.Social media builds policies.Employees must not
• City facility reservations communities that encourage express personal opinion,
• E-Notifications participation and engagement. assume,speculate,or speak on
• City council and board and Farmington social media behalf of the city.
commission agenda venues include: Facebook,
packets and minutes SeeClickFix,and Twitter.
Print Publications
Print communications are used to reach Community Calendar
current and potential residents and businesses, The Community Calendar is a reference for city
community organizations,state and local meeting dates,holidays,garbage and recycling
agencies,and stakeholders.They are vital to collection,parks and recreation,and more.
successful education and outreach and are The calendar features photos taken within the
often used in coordination with other strategies Farmington city limits that are submitted by
to maximize efforts.Print communications photographers who grant the city permission
are designed to work for multiple audiences. to use their photos.The photos are shared with
However,some are specifically geared towards photo credit and provide local interest in the
one audience. publication.The calendar is mailed to residents
The city produces a number of printed annually in December.
publications that are also available on the city's The River
website and through E-Notifications.Publications The Rambling River Center's bimonthly newsletter
are listed below.
The River,is a publication for the center's news,
City News&Recreation Guide and highlights trips,and programs that are
The City News&Recreation Guide is a quarterly offered.It is mailed and distributed to center
publication for the Farmington community; members and visitors.
it's published and mailed to the school district, The Resident Guide
residents and businesses.The publication The publication provides information about
announces what is happening in city
government,features parks and recreation local government,recreation and enrichment
opportunities,and provides answers to opportunities,schools,and a list of retail,dining,
and service businesses.The guide is updated
frequently asked questions.It is also available as a quarterly,printed internally for staff and is
pick-up piece at City Hall,Rambling River Center, available on the city's website.
and the Dakota County Farmington Library.
2
Advertising and Marketing
In addition to annual, city's message effectively.A that the city is speaking with
quarterly,and bimonthly good relationship with the "one voice."As a general rule
publications,the city creates media will be maintained the spokesperson is the city
additional marketing collateral. by providing timely and administrator or the mayor.
Examples include: accurate information while The mayor or city administrator
• Advertisements for city acknowledging schedules may designate someone else
services,promotions,and events and deadlines.Media sources as spokesperson;for example,
are published in regional include the following: the police or fire chiefs may be
magazines and newspapers. Newspapers the spokesperson regarding
• Brochures,postcards,and Farmington Independent,SUN public safety concerns.Staff
posters are used to promote Thisweek,St.Paul Pioneer should be aware of this
city services,amenities,and Press,and Minneapolis Star protocol in case they receive
events like Curbside Cleanup, Tribune inquires from media or the
Parks and Recreation programs, public.
parks and trails,water Television
restrictions,and Farmington Government cable channels, Media Releases/Public Notices
Liquors sale promotions and local network channels:CBS 4, Releases and notices are
Wine Club events. KSTP 5,KMSP 9,and KARE 11. emailed to local news agencies
Media Relations Identify a Spokesperson and E-Notification subscribers.
When communicating with the It is important to identify a All releases and notices should
media,it is important for city spokesperson for the city be sent to communications
officials to take time preparing whenever possible to control staff for distribution.
a statement to convey the the flow of information so
Television and Video • Additional Tools
Cable Access Government Channel 180 • Email may be used to communicate with
Farmington,Apple Valley,and Rosemount target audiences
residents who subscribe to Charter cable • Informational signage for city vehicles and
television have access to local channel 180. facilities,wayfinding,and billboards
Subscribers can watch Farmington City Council • Public open houses and meetings
meetings and Planning Commission meetings as • Utility billing inserts
live or taped broadcasts;important notices and
Partnerships
events are also posted on channel 180. The city partners with other public entities.
YouTube Channel For example,the School District 192,Dakota
The city of Farmington YouTube Channel is County Regional Chamber of Commerce,and
accessible through the city's website and through Farmington Athletic Association partner with
www.youtube.com.The channel features public the city to provide to community activities.
service announcements,city meetings,open
houses,and special programming. Many staff members are involved in groups
and organizations related to their areas of
expertise that provide networking and
City Surveys learning opportunities.
The city of Farmington periodically conducts Internal
a quality of life survey to measure resident Intranet: For city staff to find information about
opinions.These surveys help the city officials and employee benefits,health&wellness,policies,
staff determine future courses of action. manuals,and events.The site is accessible through
the city's website
Surveys are also used to measure specified
Meetings: Department head,department and
service areas including city communications
interdepartmental meetings,and trainings
and recycling.
Weekly Update: City administrator prepares for
Farmington City Council
3
City Branding ■
& Writing Style Guide
Basic Branding
i4iktyi A logo is not the Brands Work from the
o� same thing as a Inside Out
brand image;it Establishing a culture of How to Use Logo Files
>,,.,. ,,•' is part of a brand engaged and invested ✓Do not copy and paste or
image. employees who understand save the city of Farmington
Branding includes a trademark the city's brand and work to logo from the website or from
or distinctive name identifying advance our brand message. a Microsoft Word document,
a product,service industry,or this lessens the quality of the
manufacturer.It's a distinctive City Logos g
ima e.
category;a particular kind. The city of Farmington, /You may insert or place the file
Fire Department,Police into a document,you may size
What's our trademark? Department,and Farmington and position the logo there.
/The city's logo is a Liquors have official logos. ,/Do not distort the proportions
trademark. ✓Outside agencies may only use ofthelogoinanyway(lockthe
✓A distinctive category,our city logos with the city's aspect ratio).
product-service,our City Hall permission. If you are unsure about which
lobby sign reads"Committed to ,1 Approved city logo files are on
Service." the citywide drive in the logos logo to use,please contact the
file,with the font and logo colors. communications staff.
Consistency Sets the Tone
Color Matters • Green(secondary color,yellow for the website,publication's,
Color increases brand and blue): The color of growth, and presentations.They are
recognition by up to 80 nature,peace,and money.A available to staff for design
percent.Research reveals calming color that's pleasing to projects on the citywide drive
people make a subconscious the senses and is second only to in the communications folder.
judgmentblue as a favorite color.
about a person,
Color information sources:
environment,products, • Blue(primary color): Blue is seen Color Matters by Jill Morton,
as trustworthy,dependable and The Psychology of Color by Precision
and publications within 90 committed.As the collective Intermedia,and www.Dinfogranhics.org.
_, seconds of initial viewing and
between 62%and 90%of that color of spirit,it invokes rest
and can cause the body to • I'OI1tS
assessment is based on color. produce chemicals that are
- Color Psychology&Marketing calming.
By using color psychology Complimentary Color AaBb
in all aspects of marketing • Orange(compliments blue):
you can make a positive It's the color tied most with fun In typography,a serif is a
or negative message,and times,happiness,warmth, small line attached to the
encourage engagement. and ambition.
end of a stroke in a letter
Colors for City Branding City Color Palettes or symbol.Serif fonts are
Logo Colors Color palettes have been generally used for titles in
• Brown: This color is most made with the branding city publications and on
associated with reliability, colors and include warmer/
stability,and friendship. cooler,darker/lighter hues Fonts and writing on pages 2,3&4.
■ Writing Style Guide
the city's website. y
Sans serif fonts are simplified Style Guidelines How to apply to our
letter forms that are
The city of Farmington communications
unencumbered by serifs, promotes the use of the • Include only the key information
which can impede the Associated Press Stylebook your audience needs
readability.They are typically and Plain Language to help • Use headings and white space to
used within the body of copy foster consistency in city help readers scan for what
for city newsletters,and communications. they need
other publications.They also Plain Language • Avoid acronyms and jargon
offer greater readability on Plain Language is a federal Benefits of using plain
websites. initiative that requires federal language include:
The preferred fonts for agencies use clear government • Increased audience satisfaction
consistent branding are communication. and understanding of message
available to staff for city This initiative focuses on • Increased access to services,
publications and design writing that is clear,concise, benefits,and increased
projects on the citywide drive and easy to understand compliance with regulations
in the communications folder. that meets the needs of the • Decreased costs to the
These fonts may be added to intended audience.Basically, organization
your computer's font folder. your audience should be able Plain Language resources:
Contact the communications to find and understand what • www.plainlanguage.gov
staff if you need assistance they need. • centerforplainlanguage.orq
with fonts.
• www.hennepin.us/writingguide
Names and Titles
City • John Jones,board chair(title separated by a comma)
Follow the Associated Press Stylebook in all • The director(formal title used alone)
instances: • Capitalize full,official names of departments,but do
• Kansas City(City is part of the formal,official name) not capitalize unofficial names.
• The city of Farmington /He was elected to the board in 2009(not an
• The city requires residents to apply for a building official name)
permit. /Go to the Office of Budget and Finance
County and State (an official name)
Dakota County The official name of the ,/ Go to the budget office(not official name)
organization;capitalize in all instances. City Council
Minnesota-do not abbreviate,unless part of a Capitalize the official name of the city's governing
mailing address.Capitalize"S"if using State of body when part of a proper name; Farmington
Minnesota. City Council. Retain capitalization if in reference
Titles to a specific council. Lower case in all other uses.
Don't capitalize a word unless it's a proper noun •
"He was elected to the Farmington City Council"
or full name of a department or office. (official name).City Council meetings are held
the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall
Capitalize formal job titles when used (referring to a specific council).
immediately before a name,but lowercase formal Boards and Commissions
titles when used alone or in constructions that set When writing for the public, capitalize the full
them off from a name by commas. Use lowercase
at all times for terms that are job descriptions name of the group.Avoid using the full name
rather than formal titles. unless necessary. Use lowercase when broadly
referring to a board or commission.
• County Board Chair John Jones(formal title before a
name,no comma is needed)
2
Departments Acronyms
If necessary to reference a Avoid using acronyms.They
department capitalize. can make people feel like capitalize for nine and below
• Parks and Recreation outsiders.When they are used, (e.g.,300 Fifth Avenue,300 21st
Department always use full names instead Street);to make a clearer
of acronym on the first distinction between the address
City Buildings reference.Put acron m and street name,you may add a
Capitalize building name when y dash(e.g.,300-21st Street)
referring to a specific city in parentheses after the • When used in a sentence with
building. full name only if the item is a numbered address,spell out
mentioned later. and capitalize Street,Avenue,
• City Hall,430 Third Street
• The Rambling River Center and Boulevard.
City Code (RRC)will host an event for • For a mailing address,use
Do not capitalize city code, seniors in October.The RRC the USPS abbreviations and the
ordinance,or resolution unless hosts several events additional four zip code
referring to a specific chapter, throughout the year. numbers(e.g.,300 S Sixth St.,
section,or number. Addresses Minneapolis,MN 55487-0240).
• City Code 1-1-1 (title 1,chapter 1, • Use the abbreviations Directions
section 1) Ave.,Blvd.,and St.only with a Lowercase.Do not capitalize
Ordinances and Resolutions numbered address: 1600 descriptive words that indicate
Refer to a specific ordinance or Pennsylvania Ave.Spell them directive only,east Farmington.
resolution with Ordinance xxx out when part of a formal • Abbreviate compass points
or Resolution xxx."No."is not streetnamewithouta number: used to indicate directional
Pennsylvania Avenue. ends of a street:222 E.42nd
necessary.
• Street names:use figures for Street,not if the number is
• Ordinance 017-724 10 and above;spell out and omitted:East 42nd Street.
Dates and Times
Dates and Days of the Week • Use noon and midnight rather than 12 a.m.or p.m.
• Always spell out months completely;do not use (lower case unless beginning a sentence).
abbreviations or numbers. • With time ranges,use an en dash to indicate
/November 22,2017,rather than 11/22/17. continuing dates and times(e.g., 1-4 p.m.).
• Do not include a comma when using only the month Year
and year. • When using two years to show an inclusive period,
.1In May 2017 commissioners will consider the issue. use an en dash to separate the numbers;do not
• Include commas after the day and the year when repeat the century(e.g.,1979-81 not 1979-1981).
writing a full date in a sentence. • Years are the lone exception to the general rule that
✓On May 12,2017,commissioners will consider numerals are not used to start a sentence.
the issue. • Use an s without an apostrophe to indicate spans of
decades or centuries(e.g.,the 1980s).
• Do not use st,nd,rd,or th after dates to indicate
ordinals.
✓Student presentations are scheduled for May 26. • Numbers
• Capitalize days of the week.Do not abbreviate, • Spell out numbers less than 10;use figures
except when needed in a tabular format:Sun,Mon, for numbers 10 or more. Rule exceptions: ages,
Tue,Wed,Thu,Sat(three letters,without periods to money,or when starting a sentence,if possible
facilitate tabular composition). rephrase sentence.
Time of Day ✓Overall,six out of 27 residents agreed.
• Always include a.m.and p.m.in lower case with no /The girl is 5 years old.
space between the periods(e.g.,The meeting will be • Percentages—Use figures and the word percent
held from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.;when using from,use to, (e.g.,"We had a seven percent response rate").
never use a dash). Use%in for tables only.
• Do not include":00"for on-the-hour times,with • Phone numbers—Always include the area code
even hours,except for consistency within a series. and use dashes(e.g.,612-463-3000).
3
Punctuation ■ Commonly Used Words
Asterisk
affect(v)vs.effect(n)—Affect means to influence.
• Using this symbol is not recommended.If it's used Effect means a result.
it's positioned after a word or a phrase and before its ✓The levy affects property taxes.The change in
accompanying footnote. the levy had an effect on the residents.
Bullets annual—Do not capitalize application names when
• Capitalize the first letter of all bullets. used in text..
• Do not include punctuation at the end a bullet, applications—An event cannot be"annual"until it has
unless it is a complete sentence. been held in at least two successive years.
• You may,but are not required to,include a period at assure vs.ensure vs.insure—Assure means to make
the end of a complete sentence. sure or give confidence.Ensure means to guarantee.
• Every bullet within a list should be structured the Insure is a reference to insurance.
same way. ✓"Rest assured,we will ensure that you are
Colon insured."
• It is frequently used at the end of a sentence to citizen vs.resident — A citizen is a person who has
introduce a list or series. acquired the full civil rights of a nation,either by birth,
or naturalization.To avoid confusion,use resident not
• Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it's a citizen when referring to inhabitants of Farmington.
proper noun or begins a complete sentence.
County Highway# — Capitalize when referring to a
Commas specific highway.Don not use County Road,CSAH,or
• In a series of three or more words or phrases, TH.
separate all parts of the series with commas. downtown Farmington—Do not capitalize downtown.
• Use a serial or Oxford comma before the final email—Acceptable in all references for electronic mail
conjunction in a list(usually and,or,nor)in a series of (email).Use a hyphen with other e-terms;e-book,
three or more terms. e-commerce.
• When etc.is used at the end of a series,set it off with i.e.vs.e.g.—The abbreviation i.e.means that is or in
a comma. other words;"i.e."is followed by a comma."e.g."is also
✓The students sold homemade bread, candy,cake, followed by a comma and means"for example."
etc.,to pay for their trip. Intranet—Capitalize
Ellipsis Points... Metropolitan Council —Use on first reference.Met
• Use to show the omission of words(generally three- Council OK on second reference.
letter words),phrases,or lines from quoted material. more than vs.over—Use more than when referring to
Semicolon numbers.Over refers to a"spatial"reference.
• Use a semicolon between two independent clauses ✓More than 500 people attended the event.
when they are not connected by a conjunction.Both /The cow jumped over the moon.
clauses can also stand alone as a sentence.
smartphone—One word.
• Separate items in a series with semicolons ifthe items that vs.which —"Which"needs a comma."That"does
are long or complex or have internal punctuation. not.
Periods webpage—Lowercase,one word.
• Use only one space after a period. website —Lowercase,one word.
• When parentheses or brackets enclose an worksession vs.work session —Work session should
independent sentence,place the period inside.When be written as two words,and capitalized when used
the enclosed matter is part of another sentence,
place the period outside the parentheses. as part of the formal meeting title. Lowercase when
speaking of the work session in general terms.
/The teacher repeated the lecture.(I heard it last
week.) /The Farmington City Council Work Session will
/Watch for common errors when proofreading be held on August 1, 2017.
(such as it's for its)and missing quotation marks /The City Council will hold a work session later
and parentheses. this year.
• In all cases,place the period within the quotation your,you're —Your means belonging to you.
marks. You're is a contraction of you are. ■
✓The teacher said,"School will close early today."
4
a411 I City of Farmington
430 Third Street
Farmington, Minnesota
651.280.6800 -Fax 651.280.6899
"'t.,,n,,,.' www.ci.farmington.mn.us
TO: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
FROM: Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: Review Cable Fund
DATE: May 8, 2017
INTRODUCTION
City staff thought it would be a good idea to review the Cable Fund with the city council. This fund is often
referred to but we have not taken the time to review the details of this fund. Please see the attached memo
and spreadsheet on this topic. The information will be reviewed in detail at the work session to hopefully
answer the questions you have.
DISCUSSION
NA
BUDGET IMPACT
NA
ACTION REQUESTED
Listed to the presentation made by city staff and ask any questions you may have. This information is being
shared as a continuing effort to educate you on the many facets of the city financial structure.
ATTACHMENTS:
Type Description
D Cover Memo Cable Fund Memo
D Backup Material Cable Fund Spreadsheet
ec Mk. City of Farmington
ca w
wZ 430 Third Street
pa`o9i Farmington,Minnesota
651.280.6800•Fax 651.280.6899
A PRO%'
www ci.farmington.mn.us
TO: Mayor, Councilmembers,and City Administrator
FROM: Brenda Wendlandt,Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: Cable Fund
DATE: May 8,2017
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information regarding the city's cable communications
and the sources of revenue from the cable franchises.
DISCUSSION
Background:
The Cities of Farmington, Apple Valley and Rosemount each have nearly identical cable franchise
ordinances. The three cities worked jointly to negotiate the franchises prior to 1999 and then
formalized their partnership in a joint powers agreement when the franchises were approved in 1999.
The Apple Valley, Farmington, Rosemount Cable Commission (AFRCC) works jointly on all cable
related issues. The commission is funded with revenue from the cable franchises.
There are two revenue sources from the cable franchises—franchise fees and Public, Education and
Government Access (PEG) fees. Franchise fees were created essentially in lieu of rent for use of city
right-of-way. There are no restrictions on how cities use the franchise fee revenues but some (including
Farmington) choose to dedicate some or all of the revenues to support cable operations.
PEG fees were created to specifically fund PEG cable activity, and if not specified as extending to
operations in the ordinance,would only apply to cable TV capital purchases. As more subscribers have
taken satellite based services, PEG revenues have been slowly declining even in our growth
community, with 2016 revenues approximately $3,500 less than those of 2010. Additionally, this
funding source has very strict legal limitations on its use.
Status of Cable Franchise Agreements:
The city has a current cable franchise agreement with Frontier Communications. The term of this
agreement is 5 years and began on October 1, 2016. Frontier will pay a quarterly franchise fee of 5%
of gross revenues from the television related portion of the system. They will also remit a payment
calculated as a per subscriber per month amount not to exceed $0.75 solely to fund PEG access
expenditures.
The city has an expired franchise agreement with Charter Communications. This franchise was
originally to expire 12/31/2014 but the city (along with the two other cable commission cities) agreed
to extend the franchise through 12/31/2015 with assurance from Charter that a renewal would be
complete within that year. Unfortunately, Charter continues to delay the process to renew this
franchise.
However, even though the franchise is expired, Charter must continue to operate under the expired
agreement and pay the appropriate franchise and PEG fees. For franchise fees, they pay a quarterly
franchise fee of 5% of gross revenues; and they remit a payment calculated as a per subscriber per
month amount of$0.50 solely to fund PEG access expenditures.
Description of Current Services,Budget, and Future Funding Needs:
The current AFRCC joint powers operating budget is approximately $237,000 for 2017 and is
estimated to be$240,560 for 2018.Farmington is responsible for one quarter of that cost.
In addition to these costs, the city is responsible for any legal costs related to its franchises including
costs associated with negotiating our franchise renewals. It is important to note that these costs may
increase significantly in 2017/2018 because the cable commission cities may have to move to the
formal process for negotiating franchises due to Charter's continued reluctance to move forward with
those negotiations.
Services in the basic operations include: live regular Council and Planning Commission meeting
coverage and recordings throughout the year for each city, management of government program
playbacks for two channels,management of both the government and the public access bulletin boards,
production of the State of the City address for each city, candidate forums during election years,
customer complaint resolution, franchise administration, and system equipment design, maintenance,
and repair.
How Franchise and PEG Fees Are Used
With its first cable franchise,the city established a cable fund as a way to pay for cable operations and
track PEG fees and expenditures. Though there are no restrictions on how franchise funds may be
used, the city thought it prudent to set aside some of those fees to ensure that future cable operations
and equipment would be supported solely through franchise and PEG fees.
From 1999-2004, the majority of the franchise fees ($75,000) went into the general fund and the
remaining amount remained in the cable fund. As service costs increased, so have franchise revenues,
increasing by more than 260 percent between 1999 and 2016.As franchise fee revenue and cable costs
grew, the amount being contributed to the general fund remained static at $75,000 per year which
allowed cable operations to continue to be paid with franchise and PEG fee revenue. In 2014, after
reviewing the cable fund balance and estimating future cable costs, it was determined that the
contribution to the general fund should be increased to $100,000 per year.
PEG fees, unless specifically allowed in the franchise, may only be used for capital equipment related
purchases. Under the previous franchise with Charter, the city had the ability to use PEG fee revenue
to fund cable operations, if necessary. However, cable companies are no longer interested in allowing
cities the latitude to use PEG fee revenue in that manner.Additionally, as PEG fees have fallen and are
likely to continue on that trend, the cities will continue to need to subsidize the operations with
franchise fees. Therefore, funding for other cable-related needs such as additional programming or
capital replacement would also need to come from franchise fees.
The PEG fee for the expired franchise with Charter was capped starting at $1.25 in 1999 and could
have been increased annually by the CPI or three percent, whichever was less. However, previous city
councils chose not to increase PEG fees over the course of the last franchise. It should be noted that
PEG fees continue to be an issue in the negotiations with Charter. Current PEG fees net approximately
$22,500 per year. If that amount continues to decline, the city would need to need to subsidize those
fees in order to fund capital expenditures.
In 2014, the city spent $180,323 to upgrade aging equipment and allow for broadcasting in high
definition(HD). The City's projected future capital needs are for periodically replacing equipment and
the estimated costs are $82,500 within a 5 to 7 year period. The City's share of shared joint powers
capital equipment is estimated to be approximately $125,000 over ten years. Therefore, Farmington
can expect to see approximately$207,000 in capital costs over the course of a ten year period.
The city has funded other projects using franchise fees retained in the cable fund. Most notably, these
funds have been used to build the city's fiber network.
The attached spreadsheet is a breakdown of the franchise and PEG fees collected since the beginning
of the first franchise. Additionally, information is provided regarding the cable expenditures paid using
PEG fees.
ACTION REQUESTED
This information is for information.
A 1 B I C I D I E I F ] G I H I 1
6 2000-2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 8015 2016
7
8 Franchise Fees
9 1st qtr 392,668.09 52,462.96 53,054.72 57,507.25 60,471.62 60,092.61 62,156.86
10 2nd qtr 394,743.46 51,747.69 53,983.38 59,199.78 61,306.14 60,026.72 62,133.34
11 3rd qtr 415,330.47 52,350.11 54,403.52 58,225.42 61,353.48 59,398.57 60,795.37
12 4th qtr 439,635.80 53,815.99 57,030.32 59,639.41 62,205.92 63,198.54 68,133.69
13 Total 1,642,377.82 210,376.75 218,471.94 234,571.86 245,337.16 242,716.44 253,219.26
14
15 Franchise Fees 1,642,377.82 210,376.75 218,471.94 234,571.86 245,337.16 242,716.44 253,219.26
16 Interest on Investments 4,423.10 6,244.95
17 Deposited In General Fund 625,346.13 75,000.00 75,000.00 75,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 100,000.00
18 Transferred to General Fund 280,000.00 - - - - - -
19 Non-PEG Eligible Expenditures 593,901.39 42,283.59 45,026.07 47,131.36 50,462.06 57,508.90 81,576.74
20 Exp(Income)Adj Needed to Bal to JDE 116,548.47 4,024.84 26.00 9,859.83 - (2,465.86) (1,935.13)
21 Fees Remaining 26,581.83 115,850.15 214,070.02 316,850.69 411,725.79 503,822.29 583,644.89
22
23 PEG Fees
24 1st qtr 47,270.17 6,462.55 6,296.21 6,424.00 6,112.00 5,733.00 5,658.00
25 2nd qtr 48,661.59 6,469.06 6,283.03 6,319.50 6,042.40 5,694.00 5,613.00
26 3rd qtr 55,927.02 6,352.67 6,277.89 6,180.50 5,937.50 5,651.00 5,553.00
27 4th qtr 52,859.83 6,281.90 6,305.84 6,175.50 5,779.00 5,690.50 5,648.00
28 Total 204,718.61 25,566.18 25,162.97 25,099.50 23,870.90 22,768.50 22,472.00
29
30 PEG Fees 204,718.61 25,566.18 25,162.97 25,099.50 23,870.90 22,768.50 22,472.00
31 Eligible Expenditures 35,195.44 532.50 570.83 1,322.18 180,322.93 - 910.60
32 Restricted PEG Fees Remaining 169,523.17 194,556.85 219,148.99 242,926.31 86,474.28 109,242.78 130,804.18
33
34 Recap:
35 Combined Franchise,PEG and Int Rev 1,847,096.43 2,083,039.36 2,326,674.27 2,586,345.63 2,855,553.69 3,125,461.73 3,407,397.94
36
37 Less:
38 Deposits Into General Fund 625,346.13 700,346.13 775,346.13 850,346.13 950,346.13 1,050,346.13 1,150,346.13
39 Transfers Into General Fund 280,000.00 280,000.00 280,000.00 280,000.00 280,000.00 280,000.00 280,000.00
40 Non-PEG Eligible Expenditures 593,901.39 636,184.98 681,211.05 728,342.41 778,804.47 836,313.37 917,890.11
41 Expenditure Adj Needed to Balance 116,548.47 120,573.31 120,599.31 130,259.14 130,259.14 127,793.28 125,858.15
42 Expenditures-PEG Fees 35,195.44 35,727.94 36,298.77 37,620.95 217,943.88 217,943.88 218,854.48
43 1,650,991.43 1,772,832.36 1,893,455.26 2,026,568.63 2,357,353.62 2,512,396.66 2,692,948.87
44
45 196,105.00 310,207.00 433,219.01 559,777.00 498,200.07 613,065.07 714,449.07
46 Funds being held for future DCC project-See David M for details 34,185.00 34,185.00 34,185.00 34,185.00
47 593,962.00 532,385.07 647,250.07 748,634.07
Cell:C6
Comment:Robin Hanson:
Eliminated 1999,1DE started 2000.Also,added adjusting entry to 2000-2010 4th quarter to agreet to 2000-2016 franchise fee revenue,transfers and expenditures per JDE.
Cell:C12
Comment:Robin Hanson:
Eliminated 1999,JDE started 2000.Also,added adjusting entry to 2000-2010 4th quarter to agreet to 2000-2016 franchise fee revenue,transfers and expenditures per IDE.
Cell:C17
Comment:Robin Hanson:Eliminated 1999,JDE started 2000.Also,added adjusting entry to 2000-20104th quarter to agreet to 2000-2016 franchise fee revenue,transfers and expenditures per JOE.
Cell:C19
Comment:Robin Hanson:
Eliminated 1999,JDE started 2000.Also,added adjusting entry to 2000-2010 4th quarter to agreet to 2000-2016 franchise fee revenue,transfers and expenditures per JOE.
Cell:D19
Comment:Robin Hanson:
Added adjusting entry to 2011 expenditures so that total 2011-2016 expenditures agreed to JOE.Assumed PEG Fee expenditures were correct.
Cell:C20
Comment:Robin Hanson:
Eliminated 1999,JOE started 2000.Also,added adjusting entry to 2000-20104th quarter to agreet to 2000-2016 franchise fee revenue,transfers and expenditures per JDE.
Cell:C21
Comment Robin Hanson:
Non cable fund fund balance was negative$56K
ooARit , City of Farmington
430 Third Street
SZ
Farmington, Minnesota
651.280.6800 -Fax 651.280.6899
+'.A PRO1 1' www.ci.farmington.mn.us
TO: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
FROM: Robin Hanson, Finance Director
SUBJECT: 2018/2019 Budget Discussion
DATE: May 8, 2017
INTRODUCTION
City staff would like to talk to the city council about the 2018/2019 budget and budget process. We wanted
to offer the city council an opportunity to discuss the budget prior to the start of the work. City staff will go
over a number of issues that have already been decided by previous city council actions as well as a number
of other important points for 2018.
DISCUSSION
The 2018/2019 budget work is about to kick off for city staff. The May work session will be used as a
discussion with the city council and city staff on this project.
If schedules no not allow all five city councilmembers to be in attendance we will hold a very preliminary
discussion on the budget schedule and work with the city council to schedule another work session in May
to have the full discussion.
BUDGET IMPACT
NA
ACTION REQUESTED
Participate in the 2018/2019 budget discussions with city staff.
�o�EAR�►, �► City of Farmington
430 Third Street
Farmington, Minnesota
651.280.6800 -Fax 651.280.6899
►r•A POO www.ci.farmington.mn.us
TO: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
FROM: David McKnight, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Review of Oustanding Items
DATE: May 8, 2017
•
INTRODUCTION
Over time items accumulate on my list of issues to run past the city council or I receive some partial
direction. I plan to review this list with you at the work session so I can perform any work that may need to
be done.
DISCUSSION
I will review the list of items I have and provide you with updates on issues as well.
BUDGET IMPACT
NA
ACTION REQUESTED
Provide direction on the issues I share with you and allow time for updates on issues provided by the city
administrator.