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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead explained that citizen participation in generating ideas, <br />potential solutions and recommendations, and the importance of diverse <br />perspectives are critical in advancing the mission of the City. He felt that the City <br />Council's ability to debate and consider far ranging alternatives can be stifled by <br />the risk that the mere discussion of alternatives will engender them with <br />undeserved merit. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead indicated Arden Hills will always seek to hire the most <br />qualified and capable employees. In doing so, staff will not always be intimately <br />connected to Arden Hills neighborhoods. He stated it was critical for the City to <br />create a mechanism where the City staff can get unfettered and unbiased reaction to <br />their thoughts and ideas. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead summarized his thoughts by saying committees allow the <br />Council to broaden their debate, to provide staff with access to discussion and to <br />create a vehicle by which City Council can engage in discussions that probably <br />would not fit at a work session or City Council meeting. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung agreed stating this is where the Council could provide <br />more direction to increase the effectiveness of the discussions that are held. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked how a diverse opinion or conversation can be <br />provided when people are appointed to the committees with the same perspectives <br />as the appointer. Mayor Harpstead indicated this is a danger and that he respects <br />her comment. He stated he has tried to be aware of the gender, geographical area, <br />economic status and racial diversity across the City's committees. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she has concern with the members on the Parks, <br />Trails, and Recreation Committee along with the Finance Committee. She <br />indicated the Council should also discuss how these committees interact among <br />themselves. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the Finance Committee and review of the Economic <br />Subsidy Policy. <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Simon stated the EDC approved the Economic <br />Subsidy Policy and this was forwarded to the Finance Committee. <br />