Laserfiche WebLink
<br />2019 Annual Report • Administration • St. Anthony Village, Minnesota <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />STUDENTS IN GOVERNMENT <br /> <br /> <br />On April 10th and November 20th city staff and council participated in the Students in <br />Government Day with students from St. Anthony Village High School. We began with an <br />overview of the city’s organizational and governance structure. Next, the City Planner had the <br />students go through an exercise of placing various types of land uses on a fictitious city to see <br />what is and is not compatible. After the Finance Director presented on City Finances 101, <br />students were then paired with a department head for a tour and department-specific activities <br />to the police, fire, public works, engineering, sustainability and liquor operations. <br />Next, the students prepared to participate in a mock city council meeting. Those students <br />chosen to act as mayor and city council members worked in the council chambers with the <br />Administrative Services Coordinator on Robert’s Rules of Order and meeting protocol. <br />The remaining students were split into four groups, each group working with a department <br />head to develop a specific project proposal for council consideration, with the understanding <br />that only one project would be approved. Fire Chief’s group proposed purchasing a new fire <br />truck, City Engineer’s group proposed reconstruction of a road, and Public Works Director’s <br />group proposed adding artificial turf to Central Park. The remaining fourth group, led by the <br />Assistant to the City Manager, acted as concerned residents and voiced their support or <br />opposition. <br />After the mock council meeting commenced, each group presented their proposals and <br />answered thoughtful questions by the council. Following several motions and seconds, a <br />majority approved the proposal for a new fire truck. Once the meeting was adjourned, the <br />mayor and council were individually re-elected or voted out by the students. Over lunch, the <br />students held a question & answer session with the Mayor and Councilmember Randle. <br />