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Other Issues <br /> <br />All commissions stressed the need for open, ongoing communication between commissions and <br />the Mayor and City Council. A number of people stated that the Mayor and City Council should <br />have joint meeting,_ with each commission at least twice each year. The primary concern appears <br />to be mismatched expectations. Commissioners feel they don't know what elected officials <br />expect from them. They are frustrated when their advice is ignored without explanation or when <br />elected officials take an action contrary to a commission's desires. On the other hand, <br />commissioners don't think that elected officials understand how diligently the commissions <br />approach their work. Perhaps when it is necessary to act contrary to a commission <br />recommendation, an elected official should visit the next commission meeting to explain the <br />circumstances and answer questions. An alternative suggestion would be to send a written <br />explanation to the commission. <br /> <br />It also appears that some commissioners don't understand that the Mayor and City Council are <br />responsible for final decision making in the City and that commissions serve in an advisory <br />capacity. An orientation process would help ensure that people understand the relationship. <br /> <br />Most commission members accept the recommendation that incumbents reapply for their seats <br />when their terms expire. Several people suggested that if the Mayor and Council don't intend to <br />reappoint someone, that intention should be shared with the commission and the specific <br />commissioner well in advance of the term expiring. <br /> <br />Finally, members of all commissions are almost unanimous in their belief that they should have <br />the opportunity to meet face-to-face with applicants and evaluate them for fitness to join the <br />commission. <br /> <br />-4- <br /> <br /> <br />