CC_Minutes_2017_0109 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 09, 2017 Page 17 coinment portion of the meeting. Councihnember McGehee opined that the pub- lic should be able to ask a question or seek rationale for a vote and receive a re- sponse at that time rather than having to wait; thus providing a learning oppor- tunity for all parties. Councilinember McGehee expressed hope that if ineetings became more efficient, there may be time for that to occur and provide for that open dialogue. Councilmember McGehee also noted the number of topics brought to the city's attention via einail, phone call or other means allowing their elected officials to hear what their constituents thought. Councilmember McGe- hee opined that to her dialogue was the most important missing piece in actions froin the dais; and sought a way to create opporninities for that to happen. Councihnember Willmus stated that his perspective on work sessions was differ- ent and more closely mirrored the suggestions inade by City Manager Trudgeon, in that the allowed an opportunity for the City Council to have more in-depth presentations and discussions with staff on various issues coming before thein. If the desire is for listening sessions with the corrununity, Councilmeinber Willinus agreed with that idea, but his idea of a work session format was for that more in- depth, to-the-point and less formal discussion and interaction with staff, or presentations affording more inforination on upcoming decisions. Regarding City Councilmember-initiated discussions, Councihnember Willmus questioned if all of them rose to the level of needing to be put off for a month or inore, opining that soine things that pop up may require immediate action by the City Council; and suggesting maintaining soine flexibility to do so, providing a recent exainple oc- curring over the last weekend. Councilmember Etten stated his appreciation in holding work sessions, and agreed to place more or similar things on them when possible. Specific to Coun- cihnember Willmus' point on City Councilmember-initiated items, Councilmem- ber Etten noted the City Council itself coulcl define whether or not an item was pressing. As an example, Councilmember Etten noted things now placed on the bacic of future agenda reports that continue to be listed; and considering when best to look at those iteins if and when time-sensitive and on a case-by-case basis. As for moving ineeting tiines up any earlier, Councilmember Etten advised that it would be difficult for him professionally and for his family for meetings to start consistently earlier; and questioned how that would accomplish any efficiency goals. Mayor Roe agreed with not starting meetings earlier, noting most area City Coun- cil ineetings didn't start unti17:00 p.m., allowing Roseville to get a one-hour head start. However, Mayor Roe suggested focus seemed the key to hiin; and suggest- ed at least one of four meetings in January and February was a worlc session or even a portion of one meeting when fewer meeting dates were available. Mayor Roe encouraged the Council to discipline itself to always have a work session- focused meeting at least monthly; opining they were getting closer than they had been in the past. While any regular meeting could be inore focused on discussion,