2002 June Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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HOT NEWS Your Guide to Public Meetings FROMTHE Based on a recommendation from the Planning Commission, the Hugo City HUGO FIRE Council accepted a set of guidelines for public meetings at its May 20, 2002 meet- ing. These guidelines are designed to maintain civility at public meetings and to DEPARTMENT treat people with dignity and respect. Mayor Fran Miron commented, "I'm very pleased that the Planning Commission Burning Permits has developed these guidelines, because I believe it creates a whole new awareness Anyone wishing to burn approved of the level of professionalism and service that we are moving toward in serving the citizens of Hugo." materials in the City of Hugo must secure a burning permit from the Fire A shortened version of these guidelines appears below. A complete copy of"Public Department. The only exception is Meeting Guidelines" is available at City Hall or on the City's web site at www.ci.hugo.mn.us. for a recreational fire, which is defined as a fire no larger than 3 feet Public MeetingGuidelines by 3 feet by 3 feet. 1. Listen. Learn to listen so that you 8. Make decisions in the open. The Fire Department reminds you hear clearly what others have to say. Create an environment in which the Listen with respect and with an open City's business is conducted in the that it is your responsibility to keep mind. Focus on listening, rather than open and in which debate is encour- fires under control at all times. In what you will say in response. aged and valued. Adhere to the spirit, cases where individuals have lost con- as well as the letter, of the Open trol of burning situations and the 2. Seek consensus. Seek common Meetings Law. ground among many competing view- City's Fire Department has been points; the process may be more 9. Nurture the value of the individ- called to the scene, the courts have important than the product. ual; recognize the strength of the been awarding damages to the City, in team. Take advantage of differing an amount to cover the cost of fight- 3. Disagree agreeably. Disagreement strengths, interests, and abilities of is not bad as long as the opinions of members. However, recognize that ing the fire. others are treated with respect. the group's strength comes from Conflicts can be an opportunity for working together as a team. To obtain a burning permit, contact the growth; disagreements can present Fire Department at (651) 429-6366 solutions previously not seen. 10. Trust your judgment; make tough decisions. Seek many opinions Please allow three business days for pro- 4. Respect the will of the majority. on an issue, but trust your judgement cessing. Live with the results of a vote on an to decide what is best for the City as a issue, and take no actions to under- whole, while protecting the rights of Display Your Address mine this decision. individual citizens. The Fire Department reminds all res- 5. Respect the rights of the minority. 11. Avoid "meeting night" tunnel idents that they need to be able to see Be sensitive to the feelings and con- vision. Resist the temptation to form your address clearly. City code speci- cerns of those who did not agree with a perception of how the City func- fies that all residences and businesses the majority. Respect their rights of tions based on what happens at meet- conscience. ings. Keep what happens at meetings must display their addresses so that within the context of the operation of they are clearly visible from the road. 6. Treat everyone with respect. Do the entire City. Numbers should be no less than 6 not publicly embarrass or humiliate inches high and be visible from 100 others. Maintain an atmosphere of 12. This too shall pass. There will good will and respect. Do not intim- always be another controversial issue feet off a public roadway. idate or judge others. looming on the horizon. Keep a bal- anced perspective and maintain a 7. Share information. Share relevant healthy sense of humor. information with others in a timely manner. 9