HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-18 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
DECEMBER 18,2007
5:00 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall.
Answering rollcall were: Members Bennett,Housh,Masica,Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Staff present
included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Heather Worthington, Assistant City Manager; Ceil Smith,
Assistant to the City Manager; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director; and Debra
Mangen,City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland said the purpose of the work session was to discuss the public comment portion of the
agenda and to finish discussion on boards,commissions and committees' roles and responsibilities.
Manager Hughes reviewed the proposed schedule of upcoming work and study sessions as follows:
• Work Session,January 2, 2008 - interview candidates for appointment to boards, commissions
and committees
• Work Session, January 15, 2008 -joint meeting with Heritage Preservation Board - preview of
Country Club survey
• Study Session,January 22,2008-Comp Plan
• Work Session,February 4,2008-possibly legislative update
The Council discussed the public comment portion of the agenda. Revisions were suggested to the
"Edina City Council Meeting Procedures". It was pointed out that citizens did not understand the rules
as they applied to public comment as evidenced by the confusion over the video presentation by
residents of Oaklawn Avenue. Several suggestions were offered and discussed of potential ways to
improve and clarify the public comment. Following their discussion, the Council agreed that the
language on the Agenda under"Edina City Council Meeting Procedures" would be modified to read as
follows:
"During "Public Comments,"the Mayor will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about
something not on the agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes and cannot speak to an
issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed within the last month or a matter scheduled for a
future hearing on a sped is date. Individuals should not expect the Mayor or Council to respond to their
comments. Instead, the Council might direct the matter to stafffor consideration at a future meeting."
Staff was directed to research the use of a "comment card" by other cities for possible consideration of
use.
The Council and staff discussed the roles and responsibilities of the City's advisory boards,
commissions, and committees. A question arose about possible conflicts of interest and staff was
directed to request the City Attorney draft some language explaining what constituted a conflict. The
Council directed staff to develop training for new board,commission and committee members.
The Council held a brief discussion on the tenure and potential one year reappointment of Planning
Commission Chair Lonsbury,who was term limited,but had led the Comp Plan Task Force.
Mayor Hovland declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, && A M
Debra Mangen,CiV CletO