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explained that his group felt that imagination and creativity were what they expected most from staff. He suggested staff ask itself what it was doing, what was missing, and what was working as an integral part of the daily work. Mr. Poling noted that it was his group's third priority. Mr. Kelly related that staff at Google was required to spend 20 percent of its time on work that was unrelated to any current projects. He felt this helped increase creativity an individual would then utilize at work. Mr. Carlson supported having more chance to be creative in work. Mr. Meisner thought such time could be built into the calendar. Mr. Kelly left the meeting because of a commitment. Ms. Hays thought staff should do this as a cultural shift. Mr. Carlson asked councilors if they did not think that staff was using creativity. Mr. Meisner noted that Ms. Jones had, when looking at youth recreation, stepped back and looked at all options and then developed an innovative plan. Ms. Solomon asked if executive staff went to professional conferences. Mr. Taylor responded that all executive staff members were very active in their appropriate professional organizations. He noted that time constraints interfered with the ideal in which they spent more time thinking at a higher level and in reference to longer-term goals. Ms. Bettman felt innovation tied into the range of options. She opined that within a universe of ideas, ~we do the same things." Mr. Lehner said the top priority of the third group, which included Mr. Coyle and Mr. Taylor, was clear policy direction from the council. He felt this cut across all of the other priority items. He commented that sometimes there was more clarity regarding policy that drew a 5:4 vote accompanied by vigorous discussion than there was from a unanimous vote with no discussion. He underscored that staff want its work plan to be understandable at a ~gut level." Ms. Hays asked what other issues rose to the top. Mr. Poling noted that his group had also called out the need for a list of specific descriptions of the services, help or "tasks" available to any, and therefore all, councilors. Mr. Chouinard said he and Mr. Carlson had wanted council to identify strategic issues and goals. Ms. Taylor remarked that her group had also expected staff to have good technical skills to get answers resolved quickly and to be knowledgeable in their field. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 7, 2004 Page 4 Process Session