Laserfiche WebLink
legal issues that leave the direction, their job-related stuff, with the administration. He added the <br /> other key thing, that hasn't been a problem here at all, is that there aren't individual <br /> Councilmembers trying to run departments. He stated maybe there is a misunderstanding on the <br /> part of the Staff but that kind of thing shouldn't be happening. <br /> Councilmember Specht asked if Councilmembers hear from residents about an issue, such as a <br /> park, if communication should go to the Mayor or if communication should go directly to the City <br /> Administrator. <br /> City Administrator Hagen replied that is something that can be worked out as time goes on. He <br /> stated some Staff are far more comfortable talking directly to Council than others. Not that they <br /> are mean or directing work but some Staff can be intimidated simply by the title of <br /> Councilmember. He stated shifting things going forward will depend on the individual Staff <br /> member. He stated as issues come up, such as mowing at a park, an email could go to the <br /> department head and he would appreciate being copied on it to keep him in the loop. He stated he <br /> has asked the Staff to do the same if they are sending a message to Council so he has an idea of <br /> what was said. <br /> Councilmember Howell commented that just because people say things, it doesn't mean it is <br /> accurate. She stated they aren't going to be able to control the media. They have to look at their <br /> own interactions and decide if they are reasonable or not. <br /> City Attorney Knaak commented if they are getting those kinds of rumors, it is something that <br /> needs to be addressed. He suggested at a Council meeting they address that this is in the media <br /> and say categorically that is not the case, that is not a part of the culture, instead of letting it fester. <br /> Councilmember Howell agreed, adding they are going to have to change the direction. If it doesn't <br /> come from the presiding officer's seat, it is not going to change. There can be disagreements but <br /> the way things have been handled lately and assigning intense malignant to every decision or poor <br /> question, is really unhelpful and is creating the Council culture. It creates content for the papers <br /> and reflects poorly on the City. She stated the City Attorney has had good advice and the League <br /> does have helpful resources but it is going to take all of the Councilmembers. She suggested there <br /> is a stop to putting Councilmembers in Political categories. <br /> City Attorney Knaak stated he has gotten the sense that that is going on but from his perspective, <br /> it isn't as apparent as they might think. He stated one thing that you can never get rid of, especially <br /> with growth and the issues Ramsey has, is politics. He stated they are going to be raised at City <br /> Council meetings but it doesn't have to be taken personally. He stated disagreements are going to <br /> happen and have happened. He stated this Council has gotten through them just fine and he <br /> expected that will continue. He thought the reason why the Mayor raised the topic is to continue <br /> to get through this without it becoming dysfunctional. <br /> Councilmember Specht referenced the examples given and asked if there were parliamentarian, <br /> when a member says point of order, how can that kind of thing be handled better. <br /> City Council Work Session/June 28, 2022 <br /> Page 14 of 20 <br />