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discussed by the EPB and asked how the Council can support this process going forward. Mayor <br />Strommen agreed with the value of allowing time for the EPB to discuss the issues raised. <br />EPB Member Bentz stated it would be valuable to hear feedback from the Council, such as <br />whether to move forward with an item. He stated that he has never seen action on any of the <br />suggestions he has made, finding the EPB offers suggestions but never receives a response or <br />feedback from the Council. <br />Mayor Strommen stated it appears there needs to be a more regular mechanism of <br />communication back and forth between the Council and the EPB. <br />EPB Member Lewis stated the way he looks at it, is that it goes beyond receiving feedback on <br />the EPB's actions. He felt the EPB needed feedback and direction initially in how to function, <br />the role of the Board, and functions the Council expects and anticipates going forward. He stated <br />the EPB needs to understand its functionality and then it can decide the form it will take. EPB <br />Member Lewis stated the EPB has evolved from how it started into something different so he <br />thinks it should be reevaluated and realigned based on the Council's goals. Until that occurs, he <br />finds this process to be a moot exercise. EPB Member Lewis stated the EPB is currently doing <br />things he thinks they have no business doing such as tree sales and involvement with Happy <br />Days. Instead, he thinks those things could be handed off to other groups in the City. <br />EPB Member Valentine stated he generally agrees with those comments because part of the <br />difficulty is `tossing the ball' back and forth in who is going to define the purpose of the EPB. <br />He stated EPB Member Lewis is asking the Council to set that direction so the EPB can figure <br />out the details and then move forward. EPB Member Valentine stated that can be an organic <br />process in figuring out things as you move forward and whether to hold periodic meetings to <br />assure progress occurs in areas the Council finds are important. He stated if the goals are an <br />analysis that takes you to a number of options so the Council can make a decision, he likes that <br />as a concept but that is generally not how things work. <br />Mayor Strommen asked if the EPB had a charter when it was created. <br />City Planner Anderson stated City Code contains language about the creation of the EPB and <br />requirement for an annual Work Plan. He stated he does not know if there is a separate charter <br />document for the EPB. <br />Mayor Strommen stated if such a charter exists, it could be revised, or maybe one should be <br />created. <br />Councilmember Riley suggested an annual joint meeting between the EPB and Council and <br />periodically, when appropriate, the Council liaison inform the EPB of the Council's position and <br />inform the Council of what the EPB is working on. As far as the direction to take, he expects the <br />next step is for staff to `boil down' what has been suggested tonight and provide that information <br />to the EPB. Councilmember Riley referenced the suggestions that had been offered tonight, <br />finding that showed progress on some of the questions raised by EPB Member Lewis. <br />City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />