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Introduction The process to place items on the council agenda has its basis in both adopted council policy and in administrative policy. The current council policy was adopted at the beginning of 2002, and allowed council members to directly place items on the agenda for the first time in over a decade. The policy was instituted on a 3-2 vote by Mayor Kysylyczyn, Mr. Kough, and Mr. Schroeder. The administrative policy requirement was initially put in place in early 2002 through a joint decision made by Mayor Kysylyczyn and Manager Beets. This administrative policy required that council requests be submitted to the Manager andlor Mayor by noon of the Wednesday preceding the Monday meeting. Requested action is detrimental to the operation of the council Currently the agenda process only contains administrative restrictions. Mr. Klausing's request to add "political" barriers runs counter to the philosophy of why an agenda exists. An agenda exists for one simple reason. It is designed to inform people of all possible items that may be up for discussion and action. Law gives elected members certain rights that no process can restrict. Members have the right to make motions at any time, on any issue, and at any meeting. Another member has the right to second this motion to open discussion. A majority of inembers may pass or table issues wheneverthey see fit. The process also requires leadership from the person running the meeting. Political barriers, such as the one being proposed, are no substitufie for good I��c�r�hip. •. ._.... .. . , . - ...... This "political" barrier will inevitably cause detrimental effects to the system. Members will start attaching motions to other items on the meeting agendas. Members will start calling for motions under the approval of the agenda heading. Members will have citizens initiate new discussions at public comment. As a result, more items will be discussed that will not appear on the agenda. Conclusion: From 2004 to the present, meetings have operated poorly, and there has been over a 25% reduction in accomplished work. This issue is related to leadership, not the number of items members place on a meeting agenda. Additional "political" restrictions are nota solution for poor leadership.