pages: CityCouncil/2019-12-18.pdf, 26
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CityCouncil | 2019-12-18 | 26 | City Council Workshop Workshop Report Management Partners Don't fall into the trap of feeling you are VERY special: While being elected to a city council is an honor bestowed upon you by the voters, keep that "honor" in perspective. Citizens view electing you as showing trust in your judgment in representing their interests in community decision-making. They did not elect you because they felt you were personally deserving of special rights and privileges. Don't expect the city manager or staff to be able to assist you in ways outside your formal role on the city council. By and large, they will be required to treat you just the same as any other citizen on matters outside the realm of your official duties. Any compensation and "perks" of office should be visible and public. Professional city managers will not "play favorites": Professional city managers will strive to have a positive working relationship with all the members of the city council regardless of personality, philosophy or positions on specific issues. They will also not let personal likes or dislikes affect how he or she interacts with councilmembers, and you should not expect the manager to act otherwise. It is critical to city managers to have clear policy direction: The city manager and the city organization cannot carry out the policy direction of the city council if that direction is not clearly established. The clearer the direction, the more effectively the manager and staff can implement. Even when the council is split on an issue, the majority's will needs to be clearly stated. The manager should seek clarification from the city council when necessary. Be sensitive to the need for city managers to sometimes tell you "what you don't want to hear": One of the least favorite tasks for a city manager is to tell an individual council- member or the council as a whole something they don't want to hear. This could range from a mistake the organization has made to informing a councilmember that something they want done (or want to do) cannot be done or is not appropriate. While city managers try to be as flexible as possible in meeting the needs of the city council, you will not be well served by a manager who will not tell you when something is not appropriate or cannot be achieved simply to avoid appearing uncooperative. While the manager needs to be clear why the request cannot be fulfilled, it is very helpful for you to understand that the manager has a professional obligation to give you advice contrary to what you would like to hear when he/she is so required. - 6 - 20 | CityCouncil/2019-12-18.pdf |