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; � � �, , _ � Roseville Citizens Council for Fair and Open Government a Minncsota Non Profit Corporation Comments on Proaosed Changes to Council Rules and Procedures Roseville citizens expect, and are entitled to, a system of local government that benefits the community as a whole. Over the course of many years, city council policies and procedures have been adopted and revised. The process has been incremental, collegial and open to public discussion. Above all, it has been guided by a sincere commitment to improve the workings of local government for the betterment of all. Change is inevitable and should not be avoided merely to maintain the comfort of the status quo. Even so, not all change is good merely because it provides a different way of doing things. To be beneficial, change must actually improve the status quo. City council members are elected to set policy, establish a budget and represent the views of the citizens. They are not elected to manage the day to day affairs of the city, a job for which they are generally not qualified. Under our Plan B form of government it is the city manager's duty to run the city. In the I998 Residential Survey, the most recent community-wide survey of Roseville residents, it was found that "In general, the Mayor and the City Council now score among the highest ratings in the Metropolitan Area ..." and "A solid seventy percent awarded City Staff positive ratings, while only nine percent were more critical in their judgments." In the last election there was no hue and cry for substantial change. Indeed, the voters turned down the opportunity for major change with the defeat of the Home Rule Charter. Clearly, our fellow citizens favor the system of government now in place. After careful review of the proposal for adopting new council rules and procedures, we are left with the impression that this is a solution for a problem which does not exist. The new policies proposed by council member-elect Schroeder and Mayor Kysylyczyn are a huge departure from current policies and procedures. There is no explanation for why the wholesale changes are proposed and there is no indication of how the new policies, if adopted, will improve local government. The proposed rules are wide and sweeping in their scope. If adopted, they will severely alter the current system which has served us well for many years. The public has not been afforded an opportunity for meaningful review and comment. In addition, it does not appear that the proposed policies have been reviewed by the city manager and his staff, including the city attorney. Under the proposed policies and procedures the mayor will be granted enormous and unprecedented powers at the expense of the city council and the professional city manager and department heads. We do not believe that the proposed poficies are in the best interest of the citizens of Roseville. It appears instead that these policies are designed to meet the short term political goals of the mayor. This is not leadership. This is not good judgment. This is not good government. Our comments on the proposed rules are as follows: Rule l. Adoption & Amendment of Rules. Rules shc��a!� be reviewed and adopted annually, not every two years. Rules should be amended only by 2i3 vote. This provic#�s f�pr regular review and amendment only if there is substantial reason and agreement for change. Rule 2. Meetings. fn the first half of 1990's, council meetings began at 5:30 p.m., broke for a catered dinner (at taxpayer expense), and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. This was changed since too many people were not able to make the meetings due to work and/or home schedules and the meetings were scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with a time certain for recognitions and other general public business. This proved ro be effective and efficient for the public and council