CC Minutes - 02/08/05 PS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Additionally, she registered her opposition to one-minute rounds for council comments and questions. Ms. Taylor suggested the council try a meeting without the timer. She noted that former Mayor Jim Torrey had initially presided over meetings without timers. She thought it was undignified to be stopped by a buzzer. She posited that one might have more to say in the second or third round than the first. Ms. Solomon said she had come to appreciate having time limits. She disagreed that staff participated in discussions or rebutted the council. She stressed that staff members were the experts called upon to ensure the council received correct information. She commented that staff presentations had dramatically improved since the council goals session at which they had been asked to utilize PowerPoint presentations more and talk less. Mr. Kelly observed that the ~vibe" of the process session felt more like dialogue than posturing. He said he was ~jazzed about that." Mr. Kelly suggested experimenting with the timer and using it, but without the buzzer. He thought it would provide good feedback for councilors. Regarding staff, Mr. Kelly agreed presentations had improved. He said there were some staff members that were better than others at answering questions succinctly. City Manager Taylor asked if these comments pertained more to work sessions than regular sessions. Mr. Kelly replied that he was referring to work sessions. City Manager Taylor said he would convey these comments to the executive managers. Ms. Hayes suggested the meeting move on. She observed that the councilors supported trying a meeting without the buzzer. Mr. Pryor remarked that he liked staff participation. He averred that it helped to fill in all the pieces and facilitated the council's ability to make informed decisions. He said when all was said and done, only the councilors held the right to vote. Ms. Hayes surmised from the conversation that concerns regarding staff presentations were being addressed and had gotten somewhat better. Mr. Poling underscored that staff members come into a meeting having done the work on an issue. He felt sometimes staff might need to remind the council as to what direction the council was headed. He commented that some staff members had been ~dressed down" in the public eye and this had hampered their ability provide their best professional input. Mr. Pap~ also appreciated the timer being there. He advocated using the microphone with self-discipline and courtesy for everyone else there. Ms. Rose indicated it would not be a problem to disconnect the buzzer for a meeting. Ms. Bettman thought it might make more sense if councilors had a monthly cumulative time allotment. She said some issues required more deliberation. She commented that she would hold back off on an issue that was less important to her and speak at greater length to an important issue. She called the time limits ~artificial constraints." MINUTES-- Eugene City Council February 8, 2005 Page 5 Process Session