Laserfiche WebLink
<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 <br /> <br />14 <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated he sees both sides of this issue, but felt the <br />residents needed the ability to put a case together and be able to present it to the <br />Council advocating for what they believe is needed for the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead indicated another frustration amongst committee members is <br />that they feel they don't know what can get approved by Council, or they don't feel <br />they have an opportunity to influence Council. He explained they would like to <br />feel more like partners to the Council with some level of influence, as opposed to <br />subordinates. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she felt this goes back to the goal setting with each <br />committee and how they were directed by Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead explained it would be great for the Council to arrive at a level <br />of over-arching high level goals at the beginning of the year that the Council can <br />own with the committees but are not too detailed that they pre-decide the end point. <br /> <br />City Administrator Moorse asked how the volunteer committees were to assist in <br />this process. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead indicated the liaisons could bring input from the committee that <br />they are a liaison for. He stated these would not be action items, but over-arching <br />directionso <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated when staff presents information from the <br />committees there is never a representative from the committee present. He <br />indicated this has bothered him in the past and that by doing this, it could greatly <br />increase communication between the Council and all committees. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead noted in the past the Council tried to hold quarterly meetings <br />with one committee. He stated last year Council met with the EDC and PTRC. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden indicated "Celebrate Arden Hills" was a big thing. She <br />stated if goals were set for this celebration how do we get the committee to value <br />the Council's goals along with their own. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead explained he would be willing to help in this area as a liaison to <br />express the value and importance of our community. <br />