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J <br /> " SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 13, 1998 <br /> Andy asked Nick if he is a member of any community organization. Nick explained that <br /> normally he works 60 to 80 hours per week and spends most of his free time with his <br /> family. He said he helped form an economic development committee and worked with <br /> this organization for some time. He also worked with groups trying to improve the area <br /> lakes. He did not join either organization because he felt that his obligation was to his <br /> family. <br /> Kim asked Nick to talk about the situation that initiated the 1991 lawsuit.Nick noted that <br /> the lawsuit was filed by an Economic Development Committee member. The Economic <br /> Development Committee was originally organized by the son of the newspaper owner <br /> and initially was a good organization. However, the Committee became removed and the <br /> Council withdrew funding support. The Executive Director filed a lawsuit and after that <br /> suit was settled, she left Virginia and went to work at another city and had a similar <br /> experience. Eventually another Economic Development Committee was formed in <br /> Virginia. <br /> Chris asked what happens when a Council is divided.Nick said that is a difficult situation <br /> for a city administrator. He sees the city administrator as a resource to help solve <br /> situations. He noted that the City Council is not suppose to talk among themselves after <br /> Council meetings but the city administrator can deal with all members and facilitate an <br /> agreement. <br /> John explained this Council has its disagreements but the disagreements are mostly <br /> friendly. Kim said that Council meetings are for taking care of business not <br /> disagreements. <br /> Kim asked Nick what his expectation was regarding direction from the Council. Nick said <br /> first, the City Council has to provide policies that he can work with to build community <br /> relationships. The Council also must have clear goals and priorities and a way to measure. <br /> these goals. These are things that the City Administrator does not do and he cannot <br /> achieve anything if nothing is clear. <br /> Kim asked Nick what he saw the city administrator position to be. Nick said the city <br /> administrator has to support the Council. He noted that one newspaper criticism in <br /> Virginia was that the city council endorsed everything the administrator wanted. His <br /> reaction to that criticism was that he did not bring ideas to the city council that he knew <br /> they would not endorse. <br /> Chris explained to Nick that Kim is the mayor,the Lino Lakes public representative and <br /> the Council likes it that way. He said the Council wants a"top notch"administrator who <br /> does the work and does not get in the limelight that belongs to the mayor. Nick said <br /> wonderful, in Virginia,the mayor is a figurehead. The Council President presides over <br /> n the meetings and the administrator plays a more"up front"role. He said the mayor should <br /> be "out front"and if the administrator is in that position, government is not functioning. <br /> PAGE 3 <br />