02/11/2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 14, 2002 occur and, if the Environmental Board realizes this, they can be an integral part of the discussions, addressing environmental concerns and advising the City Council. He stated he stands by this notion one hundred percent and hopes the City has an Environmental Board that embraces development in that context so they can work with what will be developed in the future and the Council receives good environmental advice from the Board. Councilmember Carlson felt the question was whether the City Council would vote on experience and training. She noted she has attended a great deal of training and is aware of the amount of training received by both Councilmembers Dahl and Reinert. She was also aware that Councilmember Dahl has more experience. She expressed concern for not voting for the woman with more experience. Mayor Bergeson stated the City Charter suggests that the City Council appoint the Acting Mayor. However, the practice has been in the past that the Councilmembers have asked the Mayor for a recommendation and that recommendation has been supported by all the previous Councils. He stated two years ago he had intended to make a recommendation, but before he was able to do so, Councilmember Carlson had nominated Councilmembez,Dah1 and the entire Council had supported that nomination. He indicated, once again, one year ago Co ricilmember Carlson had suggested that Councilmember Dahl continue serving as Acting Mayor ndagain the entire Council had supported that nomination and he had not voiced his opinion. He felt Councilember Dahl had done a fine job serving as Acting Mayor during both years. Mayor Bergeson stated when the issue of appointing an Acting Mayor for 2002 had been discussed during the work session he had indicated that he 'would like to see Councilmember Reinert appointed to that position. He felt that the position of Acting Ma r should be moved around from time to time and he did not feel this issue related to gender He felt the City was well beyond the gender issue and he hoped that in all appointments, t Ze CounciI is gender- blind. He felt a good example of this was the Environmental Board, which w1 l -he 80 to 90 percent women in 2002. He stated those Board Members were not appointed because of the gender, rather they were appointed because of their excellent credentials. Councilmember Carlson stated the City Charter states that at its first meeting each year the Council shall choose an Acting Mayor to assume the office during the disability or absence of the Mayor. She stated the Charter does not give the prerogative to the Mayor to decide who should serve as Acting Mayor. Regarding the comment by Mayor Bergeson at the October 17, 2001 Special meeting that the Environmental Board is a sub - board, Councilmember Carlson noted the Planning and Zoning Board consists of one woman and six men, and the EDAC consists of two women and seven men. Mayor Bergeson believed all of those positions had been appointed gender -blind and appointed according to qualifications. Councilmember Reinert felt the issue of gender was a ridiculous topic for the Council to be discussing. He noted the only time this becomes an issue is when Councilmember Carlson brings it up.