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File Location: Pbrama>HDrive>Legislativelnitiatives>2016 <br />LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ENDORSED BY THE CITY OF RAMSEY <br />2016 LMC LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM <br />(6) Publishing Public Notices: Improving and Increasing Citizen Access to Information* <br />ISSUE: State law requires that cities publish certain types of information in a "qualified" newspaper <br />designated by the city. While the requirements vary based on city population size, most cities must publish: <br />ordinances before they can take effect; advertisements for bids; various financial reports; meeting and <br />hearing notices; notices of elections; dates for filing affidavits of candidacy; and sample ballots. Collectively, <br />these items are referred to as "official notices," legal notices" and "public notices" in state statute. <br />There are several requirements in statute for a newspaper to be a "qualified" or "official" newspaper for the <br />city. For instance, there can only be one newspaper chosen for the city; it must be printed in English in a <br />newspaper format; if it is a daily newspaper, it must be distributed at least five days each week; if not a daily <br />paper, it may be distributed twice a month with respect to the publishing of government public notices; it <br />must be circulated in the city which it purports to serve, and either have at least 400 copies regularly <br />delivered to paying subscribers or have at least 400 copies distributed without charge to local residents. <br />As technology has evolved, citizens have become more accustomed to the instantaneous availability of <br />online information. Because cities are committed to providing information to citizens and responding to this <br />demand, they have invested heavily in their websites and in growing a robust online presence. They survey <br />citizens about what method of communication is preferred and based on this, cities update, reform, evolve, <br />and advance communication tools and often, they do so with limited means and resources to ensure citizens <br />have access to information about their city. <br />Because of the publishing mandate outlined in state statute, cities continue to publish in newspapers with <br />limited resources while simultaneously providing information to citizens in the format they actually demand <br />online. These requirements originated in 1949 and to ensure the original intent of the law — providing <br />citizens access to their local government — it is time to eliminate these outdated requirements and make <br />communicating with citizens more efficient. <br />RECOMMENDATION: the City of Ramsey supports legislation eliminating outdated and unnecessary <br />publication requirements that are no longer relevant or representative of the technology we now have that <br />has significantly increased access to government. Cities should have the authority to determine whether <br />web publication should replace or supplement newspaper publication based on the unique needs of each <br />community. <br />*Similar language as 2016 LMC Legislative Platform, SD -14 (link) <br />2016 City of Ramsey Legislative Platform Page 9 of 9 <br />