Loading...
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. .