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February 3, 2009 <br />To: Dean Lotter <br />From: Kent Eklund <br />Subject: Notes from City Council/Department Head Meeting of January 29 and <br />30, 2009 <br />NOTES FROM COUNCIL RETREAT ON JANUARY 29, 2009: <br />I. Team Building Exercise <br />A. Discussion of the use of the DISC tool <br />B. Individual strengths of each councilperson <br />1. Steve - 30 year history in New Brighton and facilitator/enabler of <br />council meetings <br />2. Mary - Comes at issues from multiple fronts, a former employee of <br />the city, and a focus on the practical <br />3. David - action oriented decision -maker with experience in the <br />development field <br />4. Sharon - process management and process orientation <br />S. Gina - analytical, with a feel for the financials and fiscal affairs <br />II. Rules of Engagement going forward <br />A. Focus on issues and depersonalizing conflicts <br />B. Directing all comments through the mayor in public meetings <br />C. Don't be afraid to compliment each other publically <br />D. Change in the sequence of discussion of resolutions: <br />1. Presentation of the issue background by staff <br />2. Council Q. and A/discussion <br />3. Public input/discussion <br />4. Formal move and seconding of the motion <br />5. Call by the mayor for any further conversation by the council <br />6. Vote <br />E. Be open to pre -meeting conversations between council members <br />F. Revisit the consent agenda to be sure of the acceptable levels of use <br />and confirm the right of every council person to remove items at any <br />time <br />G. Focus on formal courtesy in public with each other <br />H. Be open to clarification questions between council persons without <br />taking offense <br />I. Encourage 1:1's with the city manager at any time. <br />III. Role clarification <br />A. City council <br />1. Sets policy for the city -ask for details only for policy setting <br />2. Acts as a working board with adjusting policy as facts change <br />3. Only elected board of the city <br />B. City Manager <br />