City Council Meeting Date: October 18, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider approval of Link Center Contract for 2017-2019.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends a motion approving the LINK Center contract for 2017-2019.
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council discussed the Link Center contract and funding request at their October 11, 2016 Work Session. Attached are the requests of the LINK Center. Staff has drafted a revised contract to include the total cost versus the requested amount as there was significant feedback from Council with interest in funding the full level rather than partial funding. This total amount for 2017 is $34,040 versus the $27,500 initially requested. There are alternative actions to fund at the funding level requested or to not fund at all.
The contract revision does include further distinction of the service areas and also the addition of data to determine the hours of local governments benefitting from their services as a percentage of the whole. When reviewing the 2015 LINK Center Service Area Pie Chart, it appears that about 16% of the total hours are benefiting Northfield Public Schools when you add the "Education" and "Youth" categories. The City/County Services combined generate 6% of the usage. Staff feels it will be valuable information to have these tracked specifically in preparation of the next renewal. There is currently funding in the communications budget. These revenues are generated by cable access fees but over time there are fewer cable subscribers so revenues are anticipated to trend down over time as more competitive television options via the internet and satellite increase.
The LINK Center provides Spanish translation/interpretation services for the City and assists Spanish-speaking members of the community. The LINK Center connects community members (particularly newcomers to the community) with available local resources and opportunities....
Click here for full text