Minutes - 1999/03/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council March 22, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 3 enthusiasm, commitment, experience, and all of the ingredients that the current Council has, and appears to be taking advantage of. Mr. McCarty stated quite some time ago, when he was first promoted to a manager for Applebaum Foods, he had read something which he has attempted to carry with him always, and believed it was appropriate to Mounds View at this time. He indicated that "If you work for a man, for heaven's sake, work for him. Be loyal, and support the institution that he represents. If you must condemn, complain, and eternally find fault, resign your position, remembering that an ounce of loyalty is worth more than a pound of cleverness, for if you don't, the first high wind that comes along will blow you away, and you will probably never know why." Mr. McCarty expressed his appreciation to the Council. Mayor Coughlin thanked Former Mayor McCarty for his kind words. B. Review of City Council/Staff Retreat Mayor Coughlin stated the Council and staff spent two days at Retreat, on March 12 and 13. He indicated he had struggled with pneumonia, and Council Member Thomason, with Bronchitis, however, they all attended, nonetheless. He indicated this was a good time. He pointed out that they were uncertain what to expect, as so many of these goal setting seminars seem to come to no real benefit, however, his hopes were that much would be gained, and his hopes were met. Mayor Coughlin indicated there were some tense times at the Retreat, and some moments of great catharsis on all sides. He stated frustrations were expressed, anger was vented, and confusion was brought forward, however, in the end, and by the mere fact that they committed to communicate with one another, that they resolved many of the issues that were before them. Mayor Coughlin stated that he would be naive to believe that atwo-day seminar would change the world, however, this was a good start. He advised that they have committed themselves to continue on in this process. Mayor Coughlin indicated that one of the products of the Retreat was a list of ten rules of Council/Staff interaction. He read the ten rules, and offered his personal insight into their specific significance as follows: Respect one another, and do not abuse each other. 2. Follow the Golden Rule. Appreciate the value of each team member. 4. Communicate the "whys." Mayor Coughlin explained that this rule pertains to why someone may have a particular perspective, why there is a certain option, or why they, in their specific capacities, do what they do. 5. Accept our limitations and learn from our failures.