HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12-18-1993 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 1993
The special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Deputy Mayor
Edson at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth
Blvd., on December 18, 1993.
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Edson, Councilmembers Helliwell and Tierney,
Councilmembers-Elect Anderson, Granath, and Lymangood
ABSENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmember Vasiliou
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Public
Safety Director Gerdes, Park Director Blank, and City Clerk
Rauenhorst
City Manager Johnson stated the purpose of the meeting is to conduct an orientation
session for the new City Council.
Pro -Plymouth Pledgee
Councilmember Tierney suggested changes to the proposed Pro -Plymouth Pledge
which was introduced at the December 11 orientation session.
Councilmember-Elect Anderson stated he would prefer that the Council adopt the
Pledge as presented because it is very specific. The Council could discuss the
proposed changes when considering the City's Mission Statement in the future. He
stated the City Council should designate one person responsible for the issuance of
news releases. He suggested that the City Manager be appointed to take a
proactive stance to promote the City.
Manager Johnson suggested that the Council monitor how well staff is doing with
respect to promoting the City for a few months. Then specific changes could be
made.
Councilmember Edson stated that on controversial issues it is not appropriate or
expected that the City would issue a press release. He stated the media obtains
most of its information from attending public meetings and discussing the issues
with affected residents.
Council Orientation Meeting
December 18, 1993
Page 2
Councilmember Tierney stated there are infrequent times when a councilmember
may want to issue a letter to the editor in order to respond to incorrect information
or quotes.
Councilmember-Elect Anderson stated that decision is part of being "judicious", as
stated in the proposed Pledge.
Manager Johnson suggested that one issue that is unclear in the Pledge is whether
positive newspaper letters to the editor from councilmembers would be allowed.
Councilmember-Elect Lymangood supported the language proposed by
Councilmember Tierney relating to the "exercise ofjudicious restraint when
making public pronouncements" in order to make the language positive. He stated
that the new Council has agreed that they want to do things differently than in the
past. It is relatively unimportant which version of the Pledge is used as long as the
intent is agreed upon and clear.
Councilmember Helliwell stated she would like the Pledge presented in the form of
a resolution at the first meeting in January for consideration by the new Council.
She objected to not being able to issue letters to the editor. She has rarely written
letters to the editor, but she feels it would be unduly restrictive.
Councilmember-Elect Granath stated it is important to draft a Pledge that is
agreeable to all councilmembers, and to adopt the Pledge as the first item of
business in January.
Councilmember-Elect Lymangood stated the Pledge should be adopted by
resolution at the first meeting in January. The Mission Statement, goals, and
objectives of the Council should be considered after the seventh Councilmember is
selected.
Manager Johnson distributed another version of the proposed Pledge which
incorporated the original proposal from Councilmembers-Elect Anderson and
Lymangood, as well as Councilmember Tierney's version. The City Council
reviewed this draft and made several changes. The draft Pledge will be presented
to the Council for consideration at the first January meeting.
City Council Meeting Schedule and Procedures
The City Council discussed whether to hold regular Council meetings on Mondays
or Tuesdays. Staff presented three options for discussion: 1) regular meetings on
the first and third Mondays, with special meetings on Mondays in the event of a
holiday; 2) regular meetings on the first and third Mondays, with special meetings
Council Orientation Meeting
December 18, 1993
Page 3
on the following Tuesday in the event of a holiday; and 3) regular meetings on
Tuesdays, avoiding most holidays. After discussion, most members indicated they
prefer staying with one meeting night (i.e. all Mondays, or all Tuesdays), in order
to avoid confusion for the public.
The City Council will provide the City Manager with feedback with regard to their
preferred meeting schedule and council packet delivery schedule to determine if
there is a consensus.
The Council discussed the best times to conduct study sessions, ward town
meetings, and business town meetings for 1994. Councilmember-Elect
Lymangood suggested that two business town meetings could accommodate
business owners. The best attendance in 1993 was morning and lunch meetings.
The late afternoon business town meeting was not well attended.
Discussion was held on the ward town meetings. Staff will propose a calendar to
accommodate town meetings.
The Council discussed the seating of the new seven -member Council. Staff will
develop a proposed seating chart based on the discussion and distribute it prior to
the first January meeting.
Discussion was held on the Council voting order. It was decided that the roll call
should be rotated at each meeting, with the Mayor voting last.
The Council requested that the agenda cover sheet be amended to reflect the
Council's goal to adjourn each regular meeting no later than 11:00 p.m., as well as
to include the Plymouth Pledge. Councilmember-Elect Anderson suggested that
citizens be asked to limit their remarks before the Council to five minutes. If they
need additional time, they could request it prior to speaking on an issue.
The Council requested that the blue agenda cards be amended to include an area
for citizens to check whether they are speaking for or against an issue, or if they
have a question.
Councilmember-Elect Lymangood stated that under Roberts Rules of Order it is
appropriate to have alternating pro/con debate on issues. He suggested that
proper protocol in addressing the Council should also be included in the agenda
cover sheet.
Discussion was held on the current 11:00 p.m. rule, whereby one councilmember
may adjourn the meeting after 11:00 p.m. The Council requested that staff prepare
Council Orientation Meeting
December 18, 1993
Page 4
an ordinance amendment that would require a majority vote in order to adjourn at
11:00 P.M.
The Council favored the use of voice vote, rather than a roll call vote, when
possible. Councilmember Tierney stated a roll call vote could automatically be
done on an issue upon request of a councilmember.
Councilmember-Elect Lymangood stated he would prefer that the Council table
items to specific dates, rather than indefinitely tabling issues, and that when the an
issue is tabled to a specific date, it definitely appears on that agenda.
Discussion was also held on the order of agenda items. It was decided that,
generally, items tabled from a previous meeting would be heard first under that
section of the agenda. When it is anticipated that issues will have many interested
individuals, it should be placed early on the agenda, unless an issue can be
discussed and quickly disposed. It was noted that Councilmembers can move the
order of agenda items at the meeting during the "Approve Agenda" item.
Discussion was held on whether the Council Information Memorandum should
appear on the agenda for discussion. Several concerns were expressed including
that general discussion can lead to action on an item without desired public notice,
and that discussion of miscellaneous items can use valuable Council meeting time.
It was decided that an item called "Presentations and Public Information
Announcements" be added at the beginning of the agenda. If there are noteworthy
public issues contained in the Information Memorandum, they can be announced
here or placed on the agenda for discussion later in the meeting. The Council
discussed the use of the Consent Agenda.
The Council decided that the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at the beginning
of each meeting, rather than the existing Silent Invocation.
Discussion was held on the current informal policy that Councilmembers
contacting the City Attorney may do so directly if it is likely to take less than one
hour of the attorney's time. If the item will take longer, it should go through the
City Manager to relay to the City Attorney. This way the entire Council will be
aware of major issues. The Council indicated they supported continuing this
practice at this time, and noted that they want to share information obtained from
the Attorney with each other in an effort to achieve cost savings for the City.
The Council discussed the City Manager performance evaluation which is due
February 1, 1994. Staff will provide Councilmembers with the scoring system
used for the six month review.
Council Orientation Meeting
December 18, 1993
Page 5
Discussion was held on possible upcoming study sessions. Staff will provide a
proposed study session schedule after January 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
lC
1
iGCze d
City C erk