12/08/2003 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2003 APPROVED *43 that this letter was sent late today, and she received it only when she arrived. She stated she has made 44 notes on the guidelines and several comments on language, and in her opinion she has concerns about 145 getting information. She stated she has some concerns about open meetings, and also putting an item 146 on the agenda. She noted the guidelines say a Councilmember may request an item be placed on the 147 work session agenda by contacting the City Administrator. She indicated prior to this 148 Councilmembers could place items on the agenda. She stated it has also been the policy that two City 149 Councilmembers could call a special meeting, so it does not make sense that two or even one 150 Councilmember could not therefore put an item on the agenda. 151 152 Councilmember O'Donnell stated that in both agenda notations the last sentence says 'at the work 153 session' or 'at the City Council meeting, by consensus'. He indicated if you know ahead of time, you 154 then ask to have it put on the agenda, which is the same practice as today. 155 156 Councilmember Carlson disagreed, indicating consensus is different than majority. She indicated her 157 concern is being able to represent the citizens as well as she has, and she feels this is pulling in two 158 different directions, with one being more open and one more closed. She indicated she would like to 159 get beyond that. She stated before she came tonight she was reading a book on quotes. She read two 160 quotes, one on leadership, and one on experience. She indicated her convictions include not putting 161 restrictions on information citizens and the City Council can receive. 162 163 Councilmember Carlson indicated that following Duke Addicks' recommendation that she should be 164 saying what she will not follow, she will not vote for this tonight. She stated that with a new City 165 Councilmember and City Administrator coming on after the first of the year, she would be more •66 comfortable going through it then, and would not agree to guidelines that limit her ability to get 167 information and do the best job she can. 168 169 Councilmember Reinert stated they have been discussing this for four months, and need to put it in 170 place. He indicated with that he would call the question. 171 172 Mayor Bergeson asked if calling the question means they take the vote. City Attorney Sullivan 173 advised that calling the question is a request to end the debate, and requires a 2/3 vote, which would 174 be four Councilmembers in this case. 175 176 Vote: 2 Ayes, 3 Nays. Motion failed. Councilmembers Carlson, Dahl, and O'Donnell opposed. 177 178 Councilmember O'Donnell indicated he voted not to end debate because he does not want to be 179 viewed as limiting or imposing these guidelines. He stated the intent is not to limit any City 180 Councilmember from doing their job; the idea is just to set some guidelines on how City 181 Councilmembers should interact. 182 183 Councilmember Dahl indicated there are a few items to consider. She stated these guidelines were 184 started in July, but changed constantly. She indicated she missed one meeting and did not have a 185 voice. She agreed they received the memo from Duke Addicks late, but noted it says the guidelines 186 should be discussed with new members at one of the first meetings. She indicated that since they will 187 have a new City Councilmember and new City Administrator, she would prefer to table these for 188 now. She commented that concerning stating why they would or would not agree to follow the •89 guidelines, she did not know she would have to state why. She is concerned with a few of the 4