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of the ground rules could follow, and then Ms. Thorne will recommend a four- e step process to use. II. "ROUND THE GROUP" DISCUSSION Mr. Rutan asked if the council really wants to have this kind of discussion prior to the budget process. Ms. Wooten said what is needed is a one-session discussion about a process proposal where the council can come to an agree- ment on how to give the City Manager specific and clear direction on what the council wants. She said she was not in favor of having several sessions to go through ranking and prioritizing specific projects and programs. Ms. Bascom said it might be interesting to follow Ms. Thorne's agenda and air any disagreements before leaping into specific proposals. Mr. Rutan said he would envision having the City Manager telling the council if sessions were needed before going to the Budget Committee. Mr. Miller said he hopes the council can come to a resolution as to what the City should look like after the budget process. For example, he said there are some areas that need more money to maintain an adequate service level. He said he was concerned on how to bring these types of items to the table for discussion. Ms. Bascom said that Mr. Miller feels the Public Safety Department needs more funding, but, based on last year's prioritization process, the council seems to feel that it was adequately funded and has said so in a number of related e actions. Mr. Rutan said he feels the council needs to go back to square one and agree on the role of government in this City, including which services should be provided and at what level. Mr. Rutan said another necessary discussion is the role of the City Manager and the City Council in that process. Some councilors are in favor of giving large amounts of responsibility to the City Manager, he said, while others would like the council to be more closely involved in individual programs and cuts. He said he personally favors getting out of looking at individual line-items. The council should look at programs and set policies and provide the City Manager clear direction. Mr. Rutan said this process seems as if it were intended to divide the coun- cil and should not be so. He said these are not men versus women issues, and the council needs to come closer together to resolve any difficulties. Mr. Rutan said that only when these things are agreed upon, then the council should talk about a proce~s on how to get there, such as any changes to the Budget Committee process. Mr. Holmer said a conclusion is needed to bring the council together. He said the first policy question is whether there is a fiscal problem with continuing as the City is presently going. If so, then as a policy decision - MINUTES--City Council July 27, 1988 Page 2