Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Ms. Bettman said the issue at hand was the attitude demonstrated by the e-mail, which implied to staff below management level that it was “okay” to portray and perpetrate a negative attitude toward elected officials. She did not believe that staff and the council had a partnership because the playing field was not level. She said she could take criticism; that was not the issue. The issue was the ability of a high-level staff person to undermine her credibility with other staff when she was trying to advance the values of her constituents. She reiterated that her communications were public and a matter of public record. If she said something that someone did not like and it got around, she was accountable for that. When staff communi- cated in secret away from the public, it did not add to a level playing field. Ms. Bettman said she knew there would be a backlash against her and people would make the issue about her, but she brought the issue up because she found it so important. She said it was important that the organization model respect for the councilors who worked hard to get elected, worked for practically free, and attempted to do the best for their constituents. She concluded there should be zero tolerance for “that kind of undermining.” Ms. Muir said she was aware that in the past, Planning staff indicated to councilors that there was a prohibition on direct communications but that had been a matter of misunderstanding. Chief Tallon added that there was no prohibition in his department on communicating with the council, but the City Manager indicated he wanted to know when conversations between the council and staff took place so that he was aware of what was going on and staff could provide consistent information to all members of the council. Chief Tallon thought the result was improved and consistent communication. Mr. Kelly expressed surprise at the remarks of Chief Tallon as he thought City Manager Taylor indicated the council could talk only to him, the staff responsible for preparing an agenda item summary, and the executive manager. He thought a clear, written clarification from City Manager Taylor to the council and the executive management team about the policy would be in order. Mr. Pryor said the organizational culture was nothing the council could impact directly and it could not direct everyone to get along. However, culture could be influenced by respect, trust, communication, and team work. If one worked on those four elements, one could begin to change a culture. He was concerned that, currently, the culture between elected officials and staff was suffering. He attributed that to a lack of respect, teamwork, communication, and trust. Mr. Pryor did not know where that came from, nor did he care, but believed something needed to be done immediately to improve those four elements, which would lead to improved relationships. He was concerned that the trust level between elected officials and staff was not as good as it could be, and that second-guessing was going on. City Manager Taylor recalled that in an earlier process session, the council reviewed the staff contact question, and it was his expectation that the council would generally communicate through the manager, the assistant manager, the executive managers, and the staff responsible for an agenda item summary. With regard to councilors communicating with other staff, that was perfectly acceptable and it was his expecta- tion that the staff involved in the contact would let him and the executive manager know of it. He said he would be happy to clarify that for the council in writing. Ms. Bettman shared Mr. Kelly’s recollection about council-staff communications. Ms. Bettman asked City Manager Taylor what happened when someone violated the City’s respectful work environment policy. City Manager Taylor said that he would coach and counsel the individual, who may be subject to discipline. He noted that there was an ongoing investigation into the incident. Ms. Bettman asked if there would be a point at which City Manager Taylor could talk about the incident. City Manager Taylor said yes, but he would not be able to discuss any disciplinary actions he took with regard to Assistant City MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 17, 2006 Page 11 Process Session