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ll� - u[a"�TTnlii� Date: January 7, 2013 To: Councilmembers Etten, Laliberte, McGehee, and Willmus From: Mayor Dan Roe �� Subject: Council Subcommittees As you may be aware, the council has in the past few years established a small number of standing subcommittees, as well as a few short-term subcommittees for specific purposes (updating liquor ordinance, updating pet licensing ordinance, etc.). At the end of 2012, we had one standing subcommittee — the City Manager Evaluation subcommittee, and one special purpose subcommittee — the CIP subcommittee. Generally, I would say that the subcommittee approach has been an effective way to allow far councilmembers to delve into the details of an issue to an extent not usually possible at council meetings ar even during discussion portions of council meetings, and then make a recommendation to the rest of the council for consideration. I believe this approach has served the council and the public well, and would suggest that this new council continue that approach. I would also suggest that standing subcommittees best have to do with ongoing or long-term council activities or responsibilities, while short-term subcommittees best have to do with specific projects or matters under consideration, and that subcommittees not duplicate or replace the work of citizen advisory commissions. Therefore, I would not suggest that we establish great numbers of subcommittees, or subcommittees for every issue that comes before us. However, it would seem to me that the continuation of the City Manager Evaluation subcommittee as a standing subcommittee is appropriate. I would also suggest that we transition the CIP subcommittee to a"Finance and Budget" standing subcommittee that can focus in greater detail on matters of the budget and city finances, including continuing to monitor and make recommendations regarding the CIP, with staff and appropriate other experts as necessary. Finally, I would suggest that we consider forming a standing Rules subcommittee to research and recommend as necessary regarding changes to the council's Rules of Procedure. That subcommittee can, for instance, continue consideration of rules related to video submissions from residents related to public comment and hearings, as came up last year. There may be other subcommittees — either standing or short-term — that we may want to consider in addition to these suggestions. We can of course create subcommittees at any time.