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EPB Member Lewis stated he would like, personally, for the direction and definition of the <br />group going forward to be clearly defined. At present, he found it to be a `feel good group' for <br />the Council and EPB but he wants to assure something `concrete' is coming from the EPB. He <br />stated in his three years of serving on the EPB, he can't honestly say he feels that he has made a <br />viable contribution to the citizens or the City of Ramsey. Rather, he has been part of a process to <br />review issues, he has enjoyed being part of the EPB, but often times the suggestions offered to <br />the Council are on items that have already been decided upon. He stated he has no problem with <br />any of the goals and objections offered, but believes it needs to be clearly defined. <br />Mayor Strommen agreed with Councilmember Riley that progress has been made on the <br />essential question whether the EPB should exist. She noted that each Council Member identified <br />one or more purposes so that has been determined. She also agreed that some of the purpose and <br />strategy suggestions need to be `jelled.' She stated EPB Member Lewis is correct that this needs <br />to be written down, such as in a charter. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated staff can synthesize the suggestions made <br />tonight along with deliverables to map out a planning process including intermediate steps on <br />what will be delivered by the EPB from this point forward. Community Development Director <br />Gladhill stated this topic will be brought back to a future Council Work Session or at a Joint <br />Work Session. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the tree sale and Happy Days event were mentioned as being a <br />fairly high work load but since staff has been hired to handle special events, that staff person <br />could take on that role and allow the EPB to address issues such as the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Mayor Strommen agreed with the high fatigue of serving on an event committee and that staff <br />could take over that role. <br />EPB Member Bentz stated the prior direction of the Council has led to an expectation the EPB <br />should not do anything unless specifically directed by the Council. He stated that is a bold <br />statement but previous Councilmembers have made their point that is the way it should be, to not <br />bring any ideas and the Council will provide direction to the EPB on what it should be <br />discussing. He stated that as he reads the EPB's mission in the Code, he finds it to be a stark <br />contrast. EPB Member Bentz stated during the Happy Days Event, he was asked about the <br />purpose of the EPB and found there was a void. <br />Mayor Strommen stated the Council needs to provide some direction but she does not want to <br />just list several issues because it would be beneficial for the EPB to bring ideas forward to the <br />Council and while the Council will agree with some, it may not agree with others. She noted that <br />other Boards and Commissions have made suggestions to the Council, sometimes advocating for <br />a long period of time such as building a structure at Elmcrest Park. <br />Councilmember Riley stated no one on this Council believes or thinks in the way mentioned by <br />EPB Member Bentz. He stated it is important to assure all are `on the same page' but that does <br />not mean the Council will dictate what the EPB should be working on or that it will always agree <br />with a suggestion made <br />City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 <br />Page 8 of 10 <br />