HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc3 4 08effectivemeetings City Council Date: 3.4.08 REGULAR Item: 8 ITEM: Authorize a training workshop on “How to Have More Effective Meetings” through a working knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure SUBMITTED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator Sharon Lumby, City Clerk
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The City Council is being asked to authorize training on Parliamentary Procedure to be held at the workshop on April 8, 2008. The purpose of the request is to follow up on the City Council’s on-going commitment to having more effective meetings that use the City Council and the public’s time and money well. Using parliamentary procedure requires understanding on how to use these rules to address specific issues that arise at City Council meetings. It requires using an experienced expert in using the rules and explaining how to use them effectively. The City Council members, with the exception of Councilmember DeLapp, have not had parliamentary procedure training. Given this, City Clerk Sharon Lumby contacted the LMC about parliamentarians that do this training. Mr. Tom Gmeinder is a certified professional parliamentarian and is certified to teach parliamentary procedure. He is very experienced and is highly recommended expert in his field. He has been elected to the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers… in other words; he knows the ropes of parliamentary procedure and how to turn it into a working document rather than a think list of rules, which are difficult to apply. Mr. Gmeinder will prepare for the meeting by reviewing the City Council’s order of business and gathering background to prepare for the meeting so he does not approach this as though ‘one size fits all’. He also begins his presentations with a question session to get at the real questions on City Council member’s minds rather than lecturing on a process without this. It is recommended that the City Council invite the chairs and vice chairs of the planning commission and parks commission to participate in this training for a total of 9 officials. This should be a workable size group to ask questions and engage in discussion as well as learning. The city attorney and other staff should be included as observers to the training too. The cost of his service for the meeting preparation and meeting will be $895, which would be charged to the conference and training budget for the City Council and the administrative staff budget. This is a cost per participant of $ 60 for the session. The session will also be taped for use. BACKGROUND The City Council decided not to adopt a proposal recommended to make the meetings more efficient and more on point by adding to the City Council procedures a limit of 1 round robin after each question or discussion period unless the City Council approved level. During this discussion, it was suggested that learning how to effectively use parliamentary procedure. The council wanted to re-visit this discussion in April. This is a chance to follow up on the City Council’s intent.
SUGGESTED MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION
Move to authorize a workshop on “How to Have Effective Meetings” through a working knowledge
of parliamentary procedure by contracting with Mr. Tom Gmeinder.
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
ORDER OF BUSINESS
• Introduction/report Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
• Questions to the presenter Mayor and Council members o (3 minutes)
• Questions from the public Mayor facilitates
• Call for a motion Mayor and Council members
• Discussion Mayor and Council members
• Action City Council ATTACHMENT:
1. Tom Gmeinder experience