HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 040208-040308 Special Meeting
Approved June 24, 2008
SPECIAL MEETING
ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL
Building Public Trust Workshop
Wednesday, April 2, 20089 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 3, 20085 8:30 a.m.
MINUTES
(This meeting was a workshop, and the minutes reflect the exercises and
discussions led by the Facilitator. The public attendees participated with the
Council and staff throughout the workshop.)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Call to Order - 6:00 p.m. - Mayor Brennler
Mayor Brennler called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Beraud, Clay, Luna, O'Malley, and Mayor
Brennler
Absent: None
Others Present: City Clerk / Assistant to City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson
Others Present: City Manager Wade McKinney, City Attorney Brian Pierik, Assistant
Manager Jim Lewis, and facilitator Dr. Tom Shanks
Welcome and Introductions - Mayor Pro Tern Beraud & Council Member O'Malley
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Mayor Pro Tem Beraud and Council Member O'Malley talked briefly about the Public
Trust Program that they have been developing and gave a summary of the purpose of
this workshop. Mayor Pro Tern Beraud introduced the facilitator, Dr. Tom Shanks.
Building Public Trust Workshop:
Dr. Shanks explained what to expect during the workshop; that this will be a hands-on
course for the City Council, Staff, and the audience. He reviewed the ground-rules,
participant agreements, and how the public would be involved. Dr. Shanks stated that
the City Council needs to air their differences so that they can move on. There were
several discussions concerning Council Member differences and possible solutions so
the Council can move towards a more positive working environment.
Dr. Shanks led a discussion on the levels of trust for an organization and asked
everyone, including the audience, to discuss the level of trust they have for the City of
Atascadero.
Mayor Brennler called a recess at 8:00 p.m.
Workshop resumed at 8:10 p.m.
Dr. Shanks led the Council and staff through an exercise and discussion concerning
values. The City Council and staff then discussed individual issues and the public was
included.
The Council listed goals they agree on concerning Council behavior:
Council Goals
• When the City is attacked from the outside, Council should get current information
from staff BEFORE responding. If time allows, Council should respond at a Council
meeting. If the issue is significant, a Special Meeting should be called.
• Council to speak with one voice on significant issues.
• Council defend individual members and staff when attacked - correct falsehoods
The City Council and staff were asked what they are taking away from tonight:
• Got a lot off their chests and felt good about it
• Realized they had emotions bottled up inside
• This is a safe environment to discuss conflict issues
• They have hope and are optimistic that these types of workshops will improve their
working relationships
Mayor Brennler continued the workshop at 9:15 p.m., to Thursday, April 3, 2008 at
8:30 a.m.
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Thursday, April 3, 2008
Call to Order - 8:30 a.m. - Mayor Brennler
Mayor Brennler called the workshop to order at 8:45 a.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Beraud, Clay, Luna, O'Malley, and Mayor
Brennler
Absent: None
Others Present: City Clerk / Assistant to City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson
Others Present: City Manager Wade McKinney, Assistant Manager Jim Lewis, and
City Attorney Brian Pierik.
Building Public Trust Workshop:
Facilitator Dr. Tom Shanks led the Council and staff through a series of exercises and
discussions concerning what they are proud of, what is their personal best, and why
there are proud of City staff.
Mayor Brennler called a recess at 10:40 a.m.
Workshop resumed at 10:55 a.m.
There was discussion, including the public, concerning the Commissions. The
following conclusions were reached:
• Treat Commissioners with civility but design process for review
• Don't get into name calling or stereotypes
• If Norms are not followed, Council needs to hear about it.
• Discuss Commission operations at quarterly meetings.
Dr. Shanks led a discussion on leadership. He asked the public to comment on the
Council's behavior at meetings:
• Council Members need to take seriously, complaints of Commissioners' behavior
to applicants at their meetings.
• Last Wal-Mart meeting was orderly.
• If decisions are not made at meeting and held over, there could be "lobbying"
outside of the meeting.
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• If the Council says it is making a decision, it needs to do it; if postponing the
decision, tell public earlier.
• "Surrogates" are being heard, running things.
• Appointees are not elected, be aware of these decisions.
• When comments are made at end of meeting, public cannot comment.
• This is a big day, work through solutions.
• More listening
• Vision for the long term
• Hard-working staff
• Perceptions can be turned around quickly
• There is an atmosphere that is adversarial
• Recognize there are a lot of little tiny things.
Dr. Shanks led a lengthy discussion on trusting each other.
Mayor Brennler called a recess for lunch at 12:15 p.m.
Workshop resumed at 12:50 p.m.
Dr. Shanks led a discussion concerning conflict conversations and how to implement
them constructively. Individual Council Members confronted others on specific conflict
issues. The following consensus statements are a result of these discussions:
There was Council consensus to allow adequate time after public comment
for Council discussion before making a motion.
There was Council consensus to have Mike create a list of his concerns
and meet with the City Manager and the City Attorney to achieve closure on
the issues and publically announce the results.
Mayor Brennler called a recess at 2:55 p.m.
Workshop resumed at 3:05 p.m.
Dr. Shanks asked How Does the Council Act At Its Best?
• Council listens to each other
• Courteous
• Respectful language
• Problem solving oriented
• Treat Council/Staff/Public with respect even with disagreement
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• Deals with interpersonal conflict when it happens
• Need to explain briefly decisions and how conclusions was reached
• Work longer to seek consensus / broader support
• Work harder for more agreement/every issue considered
• Considers issue then moves on
• No decisions late at night
• Work out differences quickly
• Support Council decision even if you are in the minority
• Respect the process
• Follow an agreed upon process concerning motions
• Argue the issue and don't get personal (Hard on issue, soft on people)
• Focus on the things we agree on
• Mayor and Council Members can send letters supporting business development
• Focus on policy issues and let Staff implement them
The Council concluded that For the Future.....
• Respect people even when they have a different opinion than ours.
• Council sends a clear message by consensus to implement a plan.
• Council has a definitive decision making process.
• Support Staff, and do not make them part of the election scenario.
• We will have multiple people that want to run for City Council.
• We can all rate the City with a +20% dividend, trust is a visible asset.
• The Council has the same goals for the community.
• Council defends individual members when attacked.
• Correct falsehoods.
There was Council consensus that individual Council Members may be an
ambassador for the City to potential businesses, encouraging them to come to
Atascadero.
Mayor Brennler adjourned the Workshop at 4:10 p.m.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Marcia McClure Torgerson, C.M.C., ity Clerk
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