Laserfiche WebLink
NEW <br /> building tomorrow today <br /> Council Worksession <br /> September 14, 2021 <br /> 5:00 pm <br /> Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Absent: <br /> Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust <br /> Guests in Attendance: <br /> Work Session Discussion <br /> Massopust stated the September 14th Work Session was initially scheduled for further 2022 budget <br /> discussions. However, with the progress made so far on the budget that is no longer needed. Instead, staff <br /> would like to use this time to recap and look forward on our work sessions and how to approach any follow-up <br /> items for the remainder of the year and into 2022. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas stated she would like the Council to discuss the progress being made by the Zoning <br /> Code Steering Committee at a future date. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth explained she would like to have another discussion on how the Council uses, <br /> recruits and directs its Commissions. She stated she would like to learn more about the ideas they have in order <br /> to ensure the members of the Commissions feel like they are contributing. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas believed it would be valuable to have clarity on when joint sessions were held with <br /> the various Commissions. She indicated it would be beneficial to review each Commissions work plan prior to <br /> these joint meetings. Massopust commented further on the timing and alignment for the Commission work <br /> plans and the City's budgeting process. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth stated she would like there to be a better symbiotic relationship between the <br /> Commissions and the Council. She wanted to ensure the Commissions were doing meaningful work on behalf <br /> of the community. She hoped that the Council could continue to engage with the Commissions so they could <br /> see their feedback was being taken into consideration. She feared that Commissions were becoming <br /> disengaged because their voice was not being heard or impactful. She stated she wanted to see greater <br /> alignment between the City Council and its Commissions. She believed it would be beneficial to learn what <br /> each Commissioner sees as pressing issues for the City. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned if this work could be done by the Council liaisons at a Commission <br /> meeting. <br /> Councilmember Allen stated this was his thought, noting the Commissioners could be asked what they like <br />