Laserfiche WebLink
<br />December 27, 1976 <br />TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the Council <br />FROM: Thomas F. Lewcock, City Manager <br />SUBJECT: Special Meeting on Meetings, Agendas, Etc. <br />At the December 14 meeting, the Council directed that the staff <br />gather its thoughts in report form regarding recent Council discussions <br />on agendas, length of meetings, etc. In responding to this direction we <br />will attempt to summarize the concerns we have heard from Council members, <br />the public, and members of the staff. Additionally, we will emphasize <br />the effects of various changes on the staff. As an end product we hope <br />this report will act as a starting point for Council discussions about <br />the subject to be considered at a special meeting early in 1977. <br />Past History <br />Clearly over the past five years the length of Council meetings has <br />been gradually increasing. As important as recognizing this basic fact <br />is the assessment of why this has come about. From our point of <br />observation, we see several prime reasons for the current length of <br />meetings. They are: <br />1. The business of municipal government has expanded; <br />2. The open meeting law; <br />3. Increase in matters subject to public hearing; <br />4. Increased discussion on the part of Council members; <br />The Business of Municipal Government has Expanded <br />It is probably more evident to long term members of the staff than <br />it is to the Council that the scope of municipal government seems to <br />continually expand. A good portion of this is uncontrollable. As the <br />federal, state, and metropolitan governments place new requirements or <br />services on municipal government we are forced to respond. A substantial <br />portion of the expansion, however, is due to our own local decisions. <br />While the Council has control over this latter part, it is difficult to <br />argue that issues should not be addressed because meetings might be <br />lengthened. In other words, there would appear to be little that can be <br />done with these factors in and of themselves. In fact, some might argue <br />that not enough time is spent addressing new issues. <br />