06/09/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - During discussion of item P (IIWe attempt to gather details, additional information, and answers to specific questions prior to the council meeting.II), Mr. Ball asked whether he had a responsibility to gather further information if he felt that the materials provided by staff were incomplete or whether he could simply ask staff at the meeting. Mr. Keller responded that it would be appropriate to call staff prior to the meeting for a major lack of information and ask at the meeting on a minor point. Mr. Gleason asked that councilors inform staff if this was a frequent problem. Mr. Murray reminded those present of a discussion at an earlier process meeting at which it had been decided that council members' first responsibility was to make decisions, with education of the public a secondary function. Ms. Wooten opened discussion of item Q (IIIf we wish to discuss a major policy or philosophical issue, we ask that the matter be scheduled on a future agenda, and don't raise that larger issue 'out of the clear blue' or as an addendum to a current item on the agenda.II). Ms. Schue agreed that it was legitimate to raise larger issues, but expressed her opinion that one should only ask to schedule discussion if a majority of the council was receptive to doing so. Ms. Wooten pointed out that an appropriate mechanism was needed for flagging such items and discussing them. Mr. Hansen suggested that 'Items from the Mayor and Council' would be an appropriate point on the agenda to raise such issues. Mr. Keller concurred. Moving to the question of the annual goal-setting session process, Mr. Obie suggested that a two-hour public hearing be held prior to next year's session in order to receive public input on City goals. Ms. Smith proposed that goals be more closely coordinated with budget issues. Mr. Keller spoke in opposition to Mr. Obie's suggestion, stating that he felt the council had a leadership role, and should only accept public testimony in response to its own announced goals. Mr. Obie commented that both short- and long-term goals should be set, and that short-term goals should be more specific. Ms. Wooten felt that there was consensus on separating dreams and visions from practical short-term needs. Mr. Keller expressed his opinion that the council had been brave in setting a specific goal for 1,000 jobs; he said that since general goals might not neces- sarily be implemented, it was wise to get some more specific goals. Mr. Murray said that in his opinion it was the role of staff to provide specific implemen- tation recommendations. Ms. Wooten suggested that the goals session should be held later in the year. There was some general agreement with this. Mr. Ball spoke to the issue of the role of subcommittees, expressing concern in particular over decisions being made by the Economic Diversification Subcommittee. He said that he felt uncomfortable with the way in which this subcommittee appeared to be setting policy in the important area of the relationship between government and the private sector, noting that this was currently a hot political issue in the city. Ms. Wooten replied that the subcommittee was attempting to find ways to implement pOlicy which had already been set by the full council. MINUTES--City Council Work Session June 9, 1983 Page 3