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CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE TO RAMSEY RESIDENT NEWSLETTER Linda Waite Smith, Administrative Services Manager Background: In October 1998, the publisher of the Andover, Ramsey, Ham Lake Times proposed that City cease publication of its Ramsey Resident newsletter and purchase space in his newspaper on a monthly basis. He reported that business owners in Ramsey had indicated a preference for his proposal because the newsletter does not accept advertising but his paper does. The City Council directed staff to contact business owners to get information directly from them. Using the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce mailing list, a letter was mailed to Ramsey businesses inviting them to give their opinions via mail, phone or fax. A copy of the letter is attached to this case. Three responses to the inquiry were received and copies are attached to this case. Two respondents prefer the newsletter. The third finds it difficult to get information out to community groups because the newsletter is not published monthly as the newspaper is. Ironically, if the newspaper replaces the newsletter, all the items about community groups would be eliminated due to cost. Observation Purpose of Newsletter. Section 12.13 of the Ramsey City Charter states: "A newsletter shall be published by the city at regular intervals at least six times each year. The postal roll for the city shall be used for the distribution." The Charter does not state the purpose of the newsletter, but one could assume it is to communicate information that is needed by or helpful to citizens rather than to provide an advertising venue for businesses. Cost of Newspaper. City staff has received conflicting information about the cost per page of printing information in the newspaper. The cost of using the newspaper is less expensive than using the newsletter only if all items about community groups, the school and the like, are eliminated. The cost of purchasing space in the Andover, Ramsey, Ham Lake Times has tripled in two years. On October 22, 1996, the City Council Finance Committee considered the same proposal. At the time, the cost was $250 per page. The cost quoted for the current proposal is $750 per page according to the publisher. Other Publishers. If the City stops publishing the newsletter, there are other publishers, including the Anoka Union which would like to submit proposals for publishing City information.