HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 20, 2005 / cancelled
Mavor
Gary L. Peterson
Councilmembers
Robert A. Williams
Bruce Nawrocki
Tammera Ericson Die/un
Bruce Kelzenberg
City ManaQer
Walt Fehst
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692
Visit Our Website at: www.ci.colulllbia-lzeiglzts.lIlll.us
ADMINISTRA TION
NOTE: change in date and time.
NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
************
to be held in the
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
as follows:
Meeting of:
Date of Meeting:
Time of Meeting:
Location of Meeting:
Purpose of Meeting:
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2005
5:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM 1
SPECIAL WORK SESSION CALLED BY THE MAYOR
AGENDA
1. Discussion on meeting protocol
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with
disabilities to pariicipate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handcapped
persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secntary at
706-3611, to make arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only)
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
2005-2006
Collllnbia Heiglltls~
City COIlllCil
p~f1
.lJf ayor
Gal-Y L. PetelDSOll
City of Columbia Heigllts
590 40TH Avenue NE
Cobnnbia Heights, MN 55421
Phone 763.706.3600
Fax 763.706.3601
COll/Jlcil JtI e11lbers
BIDIIce N awrocld
Robel-t A. Williams
TalnlnelDa EIDicson Diemll(l
B.-lIce KeIzenbelDg
PUBLIC HEARING
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
2005
City of Columbia Heights
590 40th A venue NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Phone 763-706-3600 Fax 763-706-3601
E-Mail webmaster@ci.columbia-heights.mn.us
We1come to the Columbia Heights City Council Meeting
and Thank Yau for your active citizenship!
Visit our web site at www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us
The Presiding Officer shall maintain strict order and
etiquette at all meetings of the Council.
Cmrmlents should be limited to five (5)' minutes
unless further time is granted by the Presiding Officer.
All comments should be directed to the Council as a
body and not to any individual Council Member or
City Staff Member unless permission is granted' by the
Presiding Officer. No person shall be permitted to
enter :into any discussion, either directly or through a
member of the Council without the permission of the
Presiding Officer.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY corn'~CIL
----------."------.----
Policy and Procedures for a Public lIearing
1. The Presiding Officer (Mayor or Acting Mayor) will
announce the proposal to be reviewed and ask for the
staff report.
2. Staff will present their report on the proposal.
5. After everyone in the audience wishing to speak has
given his/her comments, the Presiding Officer shall
close th,e public hearing.
3. Council members will then ask City Staff questions
about the proposal.
6. The Council will then discuss the proposal. No
further public comments are allowed.
4. The Presiding Officer will then open up the public
hearing for anyone present who wishes to comment on
the proposal.
7. The: Council will then make a recommendation( s)
and/ or a decision.
This is the time for the public to make comments or ask
questions about the proposal.
.,.
Addressing the Couneil
Coullcil Meeting Etiquette
The COunCi11TIUst preserve order and deconlnl while
the meeting is in session. A resident shall not, by
conversation or ,otherwise, delay or interrupt the
proceedings or the business of the Council, nor
disturb any resident or COilllCil rVIenlber while
'speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Council.
Any person desiring to address the Council shaH fu'st
secure the permission from the Presiding Officer.
When addressing the Council, each persoll shan state
his/her full name and address in an audible tone for
the permanent record.
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
'0
....
City Council and Planning Commission Meetings
Public Meeting Guidelines
I. Listen
Learn to listen so that you hear clearly what your fellow commissioners have to say,
what citizens have to say, and what staff has to say. Focus'on listening, rather than on what
you will say in response. State what you think you heard and ask for clarification before
responding, in an effort to enhance understanding. Listen with respect for the individual
speaking and for what is being said in order to build trust. Listen with an open mind. Urge
persons of various points of view to speak and promise to listen to these positions seriously.
ll. Seek Consensus .
By listening with an open mind, it is possible to discern common ground among many
competing viewpoints. Seeking this common ground and creating a consensus means that the
process may be more important tl;1an the product. Sometimes more study on an issue helps to
create consensus and may offer opportunities for finding commonalities of interest.
ID. Disagree Agreeably
Reasonable people with good intentions may disagree with one another. Disagree?1ent
is not bad as long as the opimons of others are treated with respect. Don't lose sight of the
issue at hand during a heated debate. Avoid grandstanding-reasonable arguments clearly
backed up by. careful homework ..may. win a debate rather than making other commissioners
uncomfortable with hyperbole. Conflicts can be an opportunity for new insights, learping,
and individual and organization growth. Disagreements can illuminate a topic in helpful
ways and can present solutions to problems that previously had not been seen. The successful
resolution of conflict can bind people together in powerful ways.
IV. Respect the Will of the Majority
Live with the results of a vote on an issue. Debate may be lively and heated, but once a
decision is made and a vote taken, it is important to recognize this decision as the intent of
the majority of the commission and take no actions to undermine this decision. Move on,
without rancor.
V. Respect the Rights of the Minority
Be sensitive to the feelings and concerns of those who do not agree with the majority.
Respect their rights of conscience.
VI. Treat Everyone with Respect
Do not publicly embarrass or humiliate fellow commissioners, citizens, or staff. While
disagreements are expected and acceptable, always maintain an atmosphere of good will and
respect, no matter who is speaking. Focus on ideas and suggestions instead of questioning
people's motives, intelligence or integrity. Do not ask questions or make statements in a way
that will intimidate or judge others.
VII. Share Information
, Always share relevant information with fellow commIsSIOners and staff, so that
everyone has the same information. Staff members also'must make certain that information is
shared with all commissioners in a timely manner.
VllI. lV!ake Decisions in the Open
Create an environment in which the City's business is conducted in the open and in
which debate is encouraged and valued. Adhere not only to the letter, but also to the spirit of
the Open Meetings law. Avoid speaking for the Commission as a group outside of
Commission meetings.
IX. Nurture the Value of the Individual; Recognize the Strength of the Team
Individual commissioners have differing strengths, interests, and abilities. Take
advantage of these differences when discussing issues-~ot everyone can be an expert on
every issue. Learn wbat perspectives individuals bring to discussions. However, never lose
sight of the fact that the Commission's legal and political strength comes from working as a
team. Constituents expect their elected and appointed officials to learn to work together and
with citizens to further the best interests of the City as a whole.
X. Trust Your Judgment; Make Tough Decisions
Commissioners are appointed to make informed decisions and recommendations. Seek
many opinions on an i~ssue. Ten calls on a particular issue may not represent the feelings of
all residents. Find out who is impacted by decisions. Trust your judgments to decide what is
best for the City as a whole, while protecting the rights of individual citizens.
XI. Avoid "Meeting Night" Tunnel Vision .
Resist the temptations to form a perception about how the City functions based on'what
happens on Commission meeting evenings. Problems are resolved, projects are planned,
citizens receive service, and decisions are made throughout the week. Keep what happens at
Commission meetings within the context of the operation oftl]e entire City.
Xll. This Too Shall Pass
<:;:ontroversial issues may cause sleepless nights. However, there will always be another
issue loolTljng on the horizon that may be just as controversial. Over time, it will be difficult
to remember what was controversial a mere three months earlier. Keep a balanced
perspective, and above all, maintain a healthy sense of humor.
-ideas taken from Shoreview's Council Manual; City of Plymouth Staff & Commission Guide;
Loveland, Colorado's Council Orientation Guide, 204th General Assembly of Presbyterian Church
guidelines and the City of Hugo. .