11/23/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Manager said in certain cases there would be no problem with Council Assistants going ahead and doing research for Councilors. e However, there would need to be some control over Council Assistants' time so all Councilors would have access. Mayor Keller noted it was not understood whether this situation was going to work but he felt it important that Council give it a try. He said it may take much patience and understanding but it appears to be a workable starting point. He noted Council could change it at any time by adding or deleting in the future. He noted if at any time Councilors felt any questions about the process, then he hoped that Councilors would check first with staff before proceeding. Ms. Smith wanted clarification as to how information would be brought back before Council. She said she would be uncomfortable if an individual Councilor had a Council Assistant do research and then bring it up at the first of the meeting under items from Council and Mayor before checking with City Manager. Assistant Manager said the by-laws speak to that issue in that the City Council must give notice of any issue and provide materials for Council prior to the meeting. Mr. Obie wondered, in a procedural question, whether he could take a Council Assistant to a meeting, noting his attendance at the Joint Parks meetings, in order to allow that assistant to learn what was happening and give him the ability to follow up on work. Assistant Manager noted for Council that most of the commissions, boards, and committees have staff available, and it would ,be proper to call upon the staff of that committee to provide any materials and secretarial help. e However, if a Councilor wanted to develop a particular proposal regarding his work on a particular committee, that may be a little different. He noted it would be procedurally correct for a Councilor to involve staff that have been assigned to those committees. City Manager said he under- stood Mr. Obie's point as being that perhaps a research project might be beyond the charge of a committee and perhaps find an issue that he wants to be investigated through use of the Council Assistant. Mr. Bradley suggested the idea of having each request and response filed in the City Manager's office for future reference by Councilors. He felt these documents would be good resource material. City Manager noted that raised a question of possible duplication on issues, saying it would be advisable to try to avoid such duplication. He said that was one reason it was suggested that Councilors coordinate directly through the City Manager's office. He said, however, to formalize that process was a City Council decision. Assistant Manager noted that if requests and reports were written, they would be filed and maintained. Mr. Lieuallen noted there may be a problem related to how much time would be available and the possibility that the number of people may need to be increased at a later date. He also questioned setting agenda items and wondered if the Charter requires City Manager to set the agenda. Assistant Manager replied the by-laws provide for agenda preparation and procedures. . 11/23/77--12 8~1