Agenda Packets - 1998/05/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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How do we improve communication in the City—between Council members, staff and the citizenry? It was agreed that miscommunication/incorrect information is often a problem that causes credibility issues between the City and the residents. It was suggested that neighborhood liaisons/groups be organized to help the City Staff disseminate information quickly and accurately to the citizens. This would help get the word out, and keep people from feeling like they were being intentionally kept in the dark. It was pointed out, however, that although we can send the information out in one form, it can be easily interpreted differently or change quickly as the situation itself changes. It was also suggested that not enough communication was being done between the Council members, possibly due to the televised nature of the Council meetings and work sessions. One suggestion was made that we stop televising the work sessions, to help steer communication toward a more open and less political format. It would be the time to "roll up our sleeves and get to work." It was suggested that staff often communicates too much to the Council for decision making. Although not a unanimous feeling, some of the Council felt that the City Administrator should take more authority in making decisions concerning budget transfers and various administrative affairs. This may alleviate the often heavy Council and work session agendas each week, allowing time and energy to be focused on bigger issues. IV. CLOSING REMARKS The retreat concluded with a projection by the City Administrator of the three main issues facing Mounds View in the future. The first issue is cash flow. As we enter the budget process, this is the time to start planning for the future. With the new Community Center opening up later this year, Mounds View will be facing financial questions new to all. The budget will be the tool to plan not only the future financial goals of the City, but also commercial development and long range overall goals for the City. The second major issue will be street improvements. Using Spring Lake Road as an example,what can staff and Council do to put together a long range strategic plan for the streets that makes sense for the future of Mounds View. Finally, what does the future hold for development of Mounds View. The theater project will certainly not be the last controversy this Council and Staff will face in terms of commercial development for Highway 10. What steps and planning can we undertake now to make deal with similar development issues in the future. More importantly, what role does the Council want to take in the future development of Mounds View?