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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January O5, 2009 Page 8 Councilmember Roe noted that no formal action was necessary; that the Rules of Procedure would stay in effect as written until changed. b. Discuss City Council Liaisons City Manager Malinen noted that this item was being brought forward for discus- sion purposes with the new City Council now in place. Discussion included past discussions with no indication for additional and/or more formalized liaisons; lack of general consensus for designated liaisons for advisory commissions to the City Council; perceptions of whether Council liai- sons were voting members or their influence on discussions at commission levels; and how the City Council related as a body to other government groups and agen- cies (i.e., School Board). Further discussion included past history and criticisms from City Council liaisons to the Planning Commission; education of the public and outside agencies of spe- cific and appropriate contacts within City government for their particular concerns and/or questions, and whether a specific contact person was indicated. Mayor Klausing opined that he preferred advisory commissions to provide him with their honest and independent opinions and recommendations. Councilmember Roe opined that if the City Council is paying attention to advi- sory meetings through their personal attendance at meetings or review of those meetings via tape-delay, they were aware of their discussions regarding specific topics. Councilmember Roe noted that it may make sense to have a designated point of contact for those advisory commissions to help facilitate communication between the City Council and advisory group; however, clarified that he was not advocating for such a contact person. Councilmember Pust opined that Councilmembers should not be on advisory commissions; and offered that she was willing to discuss the City Council liaison role on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as well if the City Council so desired. Councilmember Pust further opined that the City's advisory commissions were doing great work; however, the City Council was not always aware of their discussions outside their annual report to the City Council, and questioned whether there was a role for a communication link between the City Council and commissions. Councilmember Johnson opined that perhaps the Chairs of each commission should serve as liaisons to the City Council to make the City Council more acces- sible to their specific commission. Mayor Klausing expressed interest in Councilmember Johnson's concept, and sought additional detail and how that liaison position would best function.