Minutes of the Special City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Monday, November 9, 2015. 

Acting Mayor Neitzel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Welch) and one absent (Alderman Bauer). Also present was Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue.  Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Acting Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Presentation by DCC Marketing:

What is City Branding?  It isn’t about images, logos or even events.  It is about setting the City apart from everyone else, understanding perception that people have, and it is about leading the community’s image. 

What’s the process to develop a City Brand?  Everyone has to be on board with this and understand the importance of marketing.  The process is in four steps by evaluating; identify target audience, influencers, priority assets, differentiators; create ideas & align economic development and brand marketing initiatives; assess, knowing your benchmarks from the start and begin with the end in mind.

Step 1: Evaluate: Engage stakeholders and city officials from the beginning (); engage community perceptions; and review existing data. 

Step 2: Identify: Community Vision & Goals, Identify key community priorities, identify top community assets; differentiators, identify key influences.

Step 3: Create: Develop brand promise; create brand image; craft message; and develop your voice.

Step 4: Create:  Develop marketing goals, create your communication and marketing channel plan, develop a brand management team, create an action plan and timeline and develop a budget. 

Step 5: Assess:  Define your Benchmarks, analyze your costs, track your results and clearly define success. 

DCC Marketing have done marketing plans for about three (3) communities.  The process will take approximately six (6) months. 

Alderman Hoinacki was impressed by the presentation.  Alderman Mourning said this gives the structure for the City’s strategic plan.  

Other Discussion:

Alderman Tibbs said the downtown businesses assisted in the Trick or Treat with the Mayor and everyone wanted to give items. 

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said he has noticed a traffic difference in the year that he has been here.  There is money budgeted for the study and they would have to decide how much money they want to invest in the marketing/branding.  Alderman Mourning said if they don’t get people to invest into Lincoln then the City will not make it.  There has to be support in order to make it work. 

Executive Session:

There was no Executive Session.

Upcoming Meetings:

   Committee of the Whole:    Tuesday, November 10, 2015 7:00 p.m.

   Council:                              Monday, November 16, 2015 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Tibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Horn seconded it.  There were seven yeas (Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Welch) zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Bauer); motion carried. 

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary