Agenda - Council - 07/12/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Knaak replied he has a PowerPoint package he could give about Council procedure, how it is done, and not done. It has the new standard rules of procedure. Councilmember Riley asked if that could be sent to the whole Council. City Attorney Knaak confirmed this or he could do it as a presentation to Council. He stated Council could just as easily read it. Councilmember Specht stated he has looked at other city's agendas and asked if the way they do agendas is something that should be looked at or if it is pretty standard. City Attorney Knaak replied there is a general right way of doing things. He offered to put together the presentation. He added there is a separate organization for Mayor Kuzma under the Minnesota League of Cities and the Mayor's Handbook is one of the most useful things they have put together as a good resource on procedures and such. Councilmember Musgrove stated the Charter has some direction for Council, Mayor, and City Administrator. She stated she has gone back to that several time as a reference. City Attorney Knaak stated the issue came up when they were talking about what kind of approvals were required for the hiring or firing of an individual and the Charter puts the Council in charge of that as the final decision makers or could be delegate to the City Administrator. He stated usually the City Administrator will seek approval for a major hire but that is an additional control Council has. Councilmember Musgrove asked about direction about the statement that Council is not to direct Staff and if the point of contact is the City Administrator or the department heads. She stated she generally never speaks to any Staff but lately there have been comments that Council has been directing or demeaning Staff. She asked if the administration hears that, would it be brought forward to Council because she thought there was a disconnect between that communication and her reality of her not communicating with Staff. She is looking for understanding that is not the case or if it is, can it be brought to Council attention. City Attorney Knaak stated no one is pointing fingers in any part of this discussion. Councilmember Musgrove repeated the question that if that were happening if Council would hear about it because it is her understanding that Work Sessions are where Council has discussion, decision making, and communication as to direction for Staff as a Council. City Attorney Knaak replied if there was a question about a Councilmember communicating with Staff or intimidating Staff, it should go to the City Administrator. It is the City Administrator's responsibility to go to the Councilmember and say that is outside the chain on command and that could bring some trouble. He stated that is not to say that the Council should be insulated from the administration. He encouraged ride-alongs with the Police to see what they are doing and similar things that help in learning what it is they are administering. He encouraged Council to get to know the employees but thought it was important for administrative efficiency and potential City Council Work Session/June 28, 2022 Page 13 of 20