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