OCTOBER 17, 2006

Attendance - Committee members, Bliss, Bond, Farris, Hall, Miller, Spitzer were present. Knudsen was absent. Also attending was Ginger Fletcher, Director of Communication for the Kirkwood R-7 School District. One member of the public was also present.

Meeting Summary Clarification - The last line on page one of the September 26, 2006 Meeting Summary was clarified to read “if appropriate to purpose for attendance at meeting, follow up questions on levels of satisfaction with response(s)”

Kirkwood School District Communication Audit and Website Development - Ms. Fletcher presented information on this project and provided the committee with several handouts. The first step will begin with a review of all the district’s communications, marketing and public relations materials and a review of the website from a communication perspective. The second step will be a series of focus group meetings with district stakeholders. The focus groups will be designed to gain feedback and current perceptions of the district’s communications efforts and to determine priorities for improvement.

Committee Members Observation Report - Jane Bond observed the October 9 Board of Adjustment meeting. Bond reported that the meeting was well run; a sequence of proceedings was described by the Board Chair; applicants were treated with respect. In talking with an applicant following the meeting (whose application was denied), she was surprised that the applicant’s view of the meeting was in complete contrast to hers. Bond raised two questions about the proceedings. The first - are applicants provided with written decisions as a follow up to the verbal decision made at the meeting? The second - is it fair to schedule 6 six cases in one night….if 3 cases take two hours, does last case get a good hearing? See attached for detailed report.

Committee Observations - Following discussion of Ms. Fletcher and Ms. Bond’s presentations, committee members suggested that the following be added to the list of ideas for enhancing communication.

- increase interface between the city, the school district, and other groups

- a civic affairs committee with opportunities to meet 2-3 times a year.

- increase comfort level at all council, board and commission meetings.

- using available technology, arrange for materials presented to the council, and board and commissions to be seen by all attendees.

Committee Assignment - Each member of the committee was asked to send draft questions which might be used in a communication survey to Bliss by November 5.

Next Committee Meeting - The committee will meet again on Wednesday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room of City Hall. Claire Budd, City of Kirkwood’s Public Information Officer, will provide the committee with an overview of the City’s communication and public relations activities.

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Committee Purpose/Goals/Outcomes *

Purpose - Undertake a review of the city’s communication with the public.

Goals - . Assist in strengthening and improving communication between the city and the

public

. Increase understanding of how Kirkwood functions

. Provide a non-threatening avenue for citizens, council, and officials to

to interact for the greater good of Kirkwood.

. Help citizens overcome reluctance to become involved in community issues

Outcomes - Recommendations to the city related to the purpose and goals of the project

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* This item will appear as a part of every meeting summary.