Title
Review of Council Guidelines and Protocols
Issue:
General Government Committee is tasked with reviewing Council Guidelines and several procedural questions, and reporting the discussions/recommendations at Council's mid-year retreat.
Committee Recommendation:
To be developed.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Review and recommend whether changes are warranted to Council Guidelines and procedures.
Staff Contact:
Cathie Butler, Communications Manager, 360.753.8361
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager; Tom Morrill, City Attorney; and Cathie Butler, Communications Manager will be present to answer questions and provide advice if needed.
Background and Analysis:
In addition to a general review of Council Guidelines, the following were referred from Council's retreat:
1. Agenda Setting -
a. How do we establish Agendas for the Council?
b. What is the procedure for individual Councilmembers to get items onto the Agenda?
?See Council Guidelines, pages 20 and 21.
2. Advisory Committees -
a. What is the Council's relationship with advisory committees?
?See Council Guidelines, pages 29-32.
b. How can we strengthen Council's connection with and appreciation of these committees?
?Note: General Government Committee met in May with advisory committee chairs about this topic. Recommendations from that discussion - 1) Council liaisons send personal note of thanks to outgoing members on their committee; 2) Re-start orientation for new members in 2013. Involve some commitee chairs and/or members in the planning; 3) General Government Committee will meet twice a year with advisory committee chairs, and include some training about meeting management in one of the sessions; 4) Provide committee members with name badges, name plates, and possibly business cards.
3. Communication With / Engagement of the Public -
a. What is our procedure for ensuring that all email from the public to all Councilmembers is given a timely and meaningful response?
?See Council Guidelines, p...
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