Agenda - Council - 05/13/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I ! I REVISIT COUNCIL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE By: Linda Waite Smith, Administrative Services Manager Background: The City Council currently utilizes three standing committees that meet monthly immediately before the Council meetings. The practice has been for the committees to discuss staff reports and recommendations and decide on a recommendation for full City Council action. The Road & Bridge Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month for one-half hour and reviews issues related to Public Works type projects. Three of the five City Councilmembers serve on the Road & Bridge Committee, which is staffed by the City Engineer. The Personnel Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month for one hour and reviews issues related to personnel and City commissions. Three members of the City Council serve on the Personnel Committee, which is staffed by the Administrative Services Manager. The Finance Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month for an hour to review issues related to the City's financial affairs. All five members of the City Council serve on the Finance Committee, which is staffed by the Finance Officer. Considerations for Discussion: A number of questions have been raised about how the committee structure could be most effectively utilized. Among those questions: 1. Is the time allotted to committee meetings adequate to fully consider the information presented? 2. Would it be more effective to have "work sessions" at a time other than before the Council meeting so committee members could address issues in depth? 3. How many members of the Council should serve on a committee? Should committee membership be limited to a minority of the Council? 4. What issues should be brought to committees and which should be handled administratively or added to the Council's consent agenda?