HomeMy WebLinkAbout#22 BMS processMAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: 1/19/16
REGULAR
ITEM #: 22
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Bureau of Mediation Services process
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Pearson
THROUGH: Clark Schroeder
REVIEWED BY: Clark Schroeder
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item .................................................................................................... Staff - Report/Presentation .................................................................................................... Staff
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................................ Mayor Facilitates - Public Input, if Appropriate ................................................................... Mayor Facilitates - Call for Motion .............................................................................. Mayor & City Council - Discussion ..................................................................................... Mayor & City Council - Action on Motion .................................................................................. Mayor Facilitates
PUBLIC POLICY : Possible meeting management policies could be made
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
Unanimous vote by Council to engage in mediation services with the Bureau of Mediation
Services (BMS) to improve the working dynamic of the city council.
BACKGROUND AND STAFF REPORT: In early August, the League of Minnesota Cities
(LMC) was contacted to help mediate what was felt at the time as a decrease in working relations
amongst council members. The LMC suggested the city work with the BMS to explore common
ground amongst the council members and decrease conflict. The LMC and the BMS were
invited to discuss and mediate council concerns. A number of meetings were held both with full
council and a sub-set of council members, BMS staff and LMC staff. These meetings dealt with
subject matter such as agenda setting, meeting decorum, council roles/lanes versus staff. At
some point the BMS felt that progress was stalled and they withdrew from the process. They are
willing to come back to the city council when there is full support from all council members to
develop compromise on an issue which council is currently divided on.
RECOMMENDATION: It is the recommendation of the City Administrator that City Council
invite the BMS back to provide mediation services for the purpose of improving meeting
management/interaction and agenda setting.
Motion: “The Lake Elmo City Council officially requests and invites the LMC and / or the BMS to continue working with the Council and city staff in an effort to improve the working
dynamics of same; specifically, to help council resolve the issue of City Council
meeting interaction and setting agendas.”