1996-03-28SPIN STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
March 28, 1996
MINUTES
Members Present: Cara White, Chair; Laura Miklosko, Vice Chair; Joe Mast, Secretary;
Karen Cienki, Jan Francis, Doug Fierce, Martin Schelling, Tim & Pam Farmer (attending for
Wayne & June Haney), Linda Forbes (attending for David Baltimore), Pattie Minder, Katie
Holzgraefe
Agenda Item No. 2. Approval of 2/29/96 Meeting Minutes - Upon motion by Laura Miklosko,
second by Doug Fierce, the minutes ware approved unanimously as presented.
Agenda Item No. 3. Administrative Comments - Time constraints prevented much discussion
under this item. Cara White reported that the development cases table had been placed at each
seat.
Agenda Item No. 4. Meet the Candidates - Cara White reported that she had suggested that a
candidates profile be prepared on all of the candidates so that residents would know more
about the candidates prior to the election. This idea developed into a suggestion to develop a
videotaped "Meet the Candidates" forum. This would involve working with the high school
broadcast journalism class. Questions would be prepared and provided to the candidates in
advance. Students would interview and film the program. They would also prepare the tape
for broadcast on Cablevision 25. Mayoral and City Council candidates would be handled
separately. Cara White urged SPIN representatives to come up with questions that a
subcommittee could then analyze for use.
She then reported that a team would be developed, made up of SPIN representatives who are
not actively participating in a campaign. Laura Miklosko has agreed to serve as a team leader.
Other team members will include Martin Schelling, Jan Francis, Karen Cienki, and Doug
Fierce. Joe Mast suggested that he would like to submit potential questions for the
subcommittee to look through, even though he will be involved in a campaign.
Laura Miklosko suggested that everyone write the question on the form that was provided, and
submit it to Shana Yelverton. She will then remove the names and provide the forms to the
subcommittee. The questions should be submitted by April 4, 1996.
Joe Mast stated that he thinks that it might be a good idea to sponsor neighborhood SPIN
meetings and host candidates for a question and answer period. The Standing Committee had
no objections to this approach.
Agenda Item No. 5. SPIN Welcome Packet Process - Cara White introduced the topic by
noting that the recommendation is complete and now needs to be discussed and acted upon by
the full Standing Committee. Laura Miklosko reported that the idea is to mail a packet out
once the new resident has an opportunity to get settled. The proposal includes a list of things
that could be sent to the new residents, including a letter on SPIN letterhead welcoming the
new resident to town and acclimating them to the SPIN program.
Doug Fierce asked whether the list of new residents could be obtained through the City's
utility billing system. Shana Yelverton reported that those kinds of queries are possible.
Pattie Minder moved to approve the "welcome packet" project as presented, second by Laura
Miklosko, and the Standing Committee unanimously agreed.
Agenda Item No. 6. SPIN Newsletter:: Cara White noted that this "recommendation was to
develop a news team to put together information for inclusion in the Southlake Journal. Terry
Fox has agreed to work with SPIN on publishing this information.
Karen Cienki asked whether the committee had looked into working with the Southlake News
& Times. Cara White reported that she had and that she had been told that they would work
with SPIN, but that a guarantee of a regular forum was not really possible. - Karen Cienki
stated that she feels that many residents do not get the Southlake Journal. Doug Fierce
suggested that the "media coordinator" look at sending information to several papers since
residents read a variety of materials and it would be difficult to reach a majority of residents
using just one forum.
Laura Miklosko summarized by saying that information would be automatically sent to the
Southlake Journal with attention begin given to other news sources as well. Cara White
agreed that the information could be distributed to all news sources.
Cara White suggested that the next task would be to find a SPIN representative to help
coordinate this project. Joe Mast suggested that this project should probably include two
people. He volunteered to help with this effort. Shana Yelverton pointed out that the City
Council had recently approved the addition of a Public Information Officer, whose sole
responsibility will be to coordinate communication with the residents. This person can
provide assistance to the team.
Upon motion by Doug Fierce, second by Martin Schelling, the Standing Committee -
unanimously approved the initiative to develop a two -member team to coordinate providing
"newsletter" information to the local media.
Agenda Item No. 7. Progress on Goals & Objectives - Cara White pointed out that the end of
the first quarter is approaching. Each Standing Committee member was provided with a status
report on each goal.
Joe Mast stated that he needed to get some details about what happened at the last meeting.
Martin Schelling briefly described the approved election process. There are other parts of the
goal -- beyond the election process -- which still needs to be acted on. This will be brought
forward in April.
Agenda Item No R. Open EMm - Joe Mast reported that he had received a phone call from
someone representing themselves as the "City Company" for painting addresses on curbs. He
wondered if this was city -sanctioned? Is it.a private company? He noted that the approach
was a deliberate attempt to make the consumer believe that it was a city program. Shana
Yelverton reported that the City regularly receives complaints about this kind of sales effort.
There is an ordinance drafted which would help deal with this issue, but it has not yet been
acted upon by the City Council.
Doug Fierce reported that Keep Southlake Beautiful will be hosting a "trash -off" on April 12
which will include a rolloff behind Food Lion for large items, including metals. This will be� offered in conjunction with Laidlaw and Liberty. He encouraged everyone to participate.
Katie Holzgraefe reported that the SPIN youth and SYAC were hosting a party for the
Japanese student delegation this evening. They were taking the opportunity to discuss the
youth programs with them. There was a large turnout for the program. The Mayor spoke
about youth programs, and encouraged the Toyoma chaperones to explore this kind of
program when they return to Japan. She reported that a group of students from Southlake will
be going to Japan in July.
Karen Cienki raised the question of the closing of South Carroll and Continental. Kevin
Hugman explained that staff is working to lessen the period of time that the intersection will be
closed.
Cara White also reported that, as a side note, the "Meet the Candidate" videotape will be
available for check out through the City Manager's Office.
There being no further businesses, the Standing Committee adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
ATT T:
Shana Yelverton, Staff Liaison