Minutes - Council - 03/09/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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again. She stated that members of Boards and Commissions have the right to attend in person and should not be given contrary direction from their Chair. Councilmember Heineman stated that he has received feedback on the opinion that this is overreach by Councilmember Howell and himself. He stated that the intent is to prevent a situation where someone creates their own rules that supersede the direction from the Council. He stated that staff does an amazing job, and this resolution is meant to address the situation where a Board or Commission member attempts to provide their own rules. He stated that he would entertain adding the language that this does not supersede statutory requirements. He stated that the intent is to provide a policy and baseline to support the organizational chart within the City. Councilmember Riley commented that he found it interesting that during the previous case a resident read this resolution back in the guise of the Governor’s mandates. He stated that in his mind this seems to create a big rule to address one incident and does not want to ever do that in his life. He stated that an incident can be handled rather than making a resolution. He noted that it goes without saying that the City Council sets the direction. He stated that this gives the impression that the Council does not care about the input from the Commission members and what those members say. He stated that if the Council is under the impression it is the only voice that matters, there would be no point to have Commissions. He stated that the outcome of this would seem to create “yes committees” in that there are no other opinions welcome, and someone could not disagree with the Council. He commented that he would be concerned that this would be interpreted that someone can have an opinion as long as it does not vary from the Council. Councilmember Howell commented that the intent of the resolution is that staff works for the Council and while they can have independent opinions, staff is to follow the direction of the Council. She stated that when Commission members send out emails directing members to follow their direction rather than the Council and directing QCTV to cut people off, that is in violation. She stated that she does not see a problem with a gentle but firm reminder. Councilmember Specht commented that this seems to be status quo that the Commissions follow the direction of the Council and therefore did not see a problem with a simple reminder. Mayor Kuzma commented that this has not been a problem during his time on the Council. He did not feel that this needs to rise to this level and would not support the resolution as he believed issues could be handled internally. Councilmember Musgrove commented that this topic was discussed in a previous worksession and she spoke with staff earlier this week related to a letter she received from a Commission. She stated that the letter did not follow the direction of the Council. She was unsure who wrote the letter but noted that the letter content went above and beyond the direction of the Council. She agreed that it could be helpful to reiterate the role of the Commissions and the role of the Council. She commented that the Council is elected to represent the residents and provide guidance to City staff and the Commissions related to policy. She noted that the resolution seems to reinforce the organizational chart within the City. Mayor Kuzma suggested that members of the public be allowed to speak. City Council / March 9, 2021 Page 17 of 21