11/12/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 12, 2003 APPROVED Relationship to City Staff Mayor and City Council Members direct city staff, contract employees and consultants only through the city administrator or equivalent, as determined by majority vote. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if a reference to Data Practices should be included in this section. Mayor Bergeson stated that Councilmembers take an oath of office when officially becoming a Councilmember. Compliance with Data Practices and other rules and regulations are a part of that oath. Councilmember O'Donnell noted there are no civil or legal penalties included if a Councilmember does not adhere to the guidelines. The Council continued reviewing the draft and made the following revisions: Individual elected officials have no authority to commit city funds or to request staff to perform activities that encumber city funds. All elected officials shall receive the same information at the same time when deemed ready for distribution by staff. If an elected official requests information in advance of others on the City Council, the matter should be resolved by a majority of the City Council. City staff cannot respond to elected official requests for information to be used in political campaigns. During election season, any information request from a Council Member is provided to all Council Members. All elected officials are expected to follow established City policies and procedures. Attempts to bypass normal procedures outside public meetings is required to be brought to the attention of the City Council by the city administrator. Attempts to bypass normal procedures at a public meeting will be halted by the Mayor who is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting. Elected officials should refer constituent questions and concerns to the city administrator or appropriate department director. City staff should report back to City Council on the resolution of the referral. Except for casual greetings and social exchanges, elected officials should restrict their communication with city staff to the city administrator and department directors who are responsible for the activities of all city employees. Communication should be business related and brief. If an elected official is utilizing an inordinate amount of staff time, the city administrator is required to bring this to the attention of the City Council for resolution.