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<br />Regular City Council Minutes - 8/11/03 <br />Page 19 <br /> <br />City Attorney Anderson addressed the industry-wide <br />practice for attorney's to bill their time while responding <br />to the media in relationship to a specific client or proj ect; <br />given the nature of an attorney's billing procedure; and <br />opined that it was quite often in the best interest of the <br />client for the attorney to do so to avoid misperceptions. <br /> <br />Discussion included public policy; context of the job; <br />candidacy for office; data practices; detailed billings not <br />reviewed by Councilmembers when under $5,000; and the <br />nature of representation of public entities related to the <br />public's interests and media pursuit. <br /> <br />Kysylyczyn moved, Schroeder seconded directing staff to <br />draft a policy to address the issue of taxpayer payment to <br />individuals for doing media interviews. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder opined the need to draft a <br />broad policy. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka spoke against the proposal; <br />opining that it puts a pall on doing public business and that <br />the City had a responsibility to address public relations <br />and couldn't hinder press interaction or it could be <br />perceived by the public as an attempt at withholding <br />information. <br /> <br />Further discussion included how media requests are <br />directed; technical or specialized areas of information; <br />subcontractor billings for media comments; and need for <br />City Manager knowledge of public relations contacts to <br />maintain accountability. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder opined that the scope of the <br />Mayor's motion was too broad and lacked context; and <br />that this should be a topic for the full Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Kysylyczyn withdrew his motion until the next <br />regular meeting <br />