06/09/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e e e Ms. Schue asked whether it was more appropriate to make the motion before or after discussion. Mr. Keller expressed the opinion that it was better to wait and get a sense of council support before making a motion. It was noted that though it was protocol for the president to make the motion councilors should feel free to do so too, though Mr. Gleason reminded councilors that motions are often complex and technical and suggested that it might be better to send an issue back to staff than attempt to craft a motion on the fl oor. Mr. Lindberg said that it was sometimes acceptable to ask questions to which everyone knew the answer in order to put the infonmation before the public. Ms. Schue concurred. Mr. Murray pOinted out another aspect of the item being discussed was that questions should be used for clarification and not to express an opinion. Discussion then moved to item H ("We avoid repetition as a way to convince others."). Ms. Wooten pointed out that there were two issues: repeating oneself and repeating the views of another councilor. It was agreed that the mayor or other councilors should give feedback to one another after a meeting if they observe this behavior. In discussion of item I ("We keep discussion moving and call for a 'process check' if the council becomes bogged down in discussions."), Mr. Keller noted that this was in fact rarely done except at retreats. There was discussion of how to deal with continued discussion after the majority of councilors had made up their minds, which Mr. Obie termed frustrating. Mr. Holmer said that it was important that minority views had an opportunity to be expressed; Mr. Lindberg agreed, noting that making up one's mind became easier with increasing experience on the council. It was agreed that Mr. Lynch should look into using the absten- tion lights as a signal that councilors were ready to move on to a vote, a system which had been used in the past. In the meantime, Mr. Hansen called upon the mayor to be aggressive in moving to a vote when he sensed that the council was ready to do so. A short break was taken from 8:55 to 9:00 p.m. Ms. Wooten spoke to item K ("We set time limits on topics, and adhere to them.") by noting that though the mayor did well on this issue most of the time he had begun asking, at the end of a public hearing, whether there was any further testimony, from interested persons who had not sumbitted a recognition slip. She feared that this practice would encourage members of the public to speak without having previously signed up to do so. Mr. Keller opened discussion of item M ("We do not ignore the seriously intended contributions of others. ") by noting that snide remarks were sometimes made at the end of meetings, when councilors were tired. He reminded those present that this was never appropriate behavior. Mr. Lindberg asked for respect for the public as well as other councilors, asking the councilors to at least feign alertness during a public hearing. MINUTES--City Council Work Session June 9, 1983 Page 2