09/26/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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I , ing the needs of the citizens, resulting in his dissatisfaction e with service on the council. He needed more aid and help to meet his concept of the role of city councilor. He was happy with the system from the manager's point on down but was dissatisfied with the system as it affected the council. Mrs. Smith asked whether Mr. Haws was supporting option (A) , (B) , or (C) . Mr. Haws stated he was not strongly supportive of or op- posed to any of them, that any of the systems would need the test of time. He expressed the belief that the council could work under any alternative. Mr. Obie stated that his views differed somewhat from those of Mr. Williams and Mr. Haws, but not broadly. He had been having difficulty with the issue. Option (C) concerned him because of the dramatic change. His needs varied as a councilor from finding someone to provide a briefing on the agenda to setting up a meeting with three different parties. He would appreciate assistance in the manager's office. Option (A), he noted, could prove as diffi- cult as (C) . Option (A) would promulgate the status quo. There- fore, he expressed the belief that option (B) would best meet the needs. He did not desire an aide to help further his political career nor was he saying anybody did desire such an aide. He ex- pressed the wish for an aide to develop position papers. He thought (B) would be a step ahead for the council, (A) would be too small a step, and (C) would be a major change in the system. tit Mrs. Smith asked whether recommendation (B) could mean the addi- tion of two or three University students or staff members and in- quired what kind of assistance they would be able to give. Manager stated that such assistance could provide in-depth research, speeches, attendance at certain meetings, and an extension of the "flak catching" role. In trying to determine Mr. Haws' need, he inquired whether Mr. Haws felt service to the community was inadequate because he could not respond to the neighborhood needs. Mr. Haws noted that it would help if he didn't have to run down town to do it. It was not a major problem, but councilors could be more creative in reaching out to the community. Mr. Hamel felt that the idea of a lack of time for people in the area missed the point of the present system. The people of his area elected him to represent them and decide on issues affecting the whole city, not just the neighborhood. He stated that he could live with either option (A) or (B) . He noted that the city manager had been chosen by the council, and the council could change the system by changing the manager any time they wanted to. Mr. Lieuallen noted that he could live with any of the three op- tions, although he preferred option (C) . He pointed out that an ideal solution for him would be pay on a part-time basis. He be- lieved that a charter amendment to provide assistants to the council would pass. The people around town had expressed concern - that the council did not carry out the increasingly complex tasks before it. He noted that he generally felt not well enough in- formed and that the task took an incredible amount of energy and time. He would welcome any assistance that could be arranged to help him as councilor. ,u Special Meeting 9/26/77 - 3