01-20-2004 CC MIN - SPECIALSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELI(, RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinz~ng, Councih'nembers Dietz, Kuester (5:30 p.m.),
Moan (5:35 p.m.), and Tveite
None
City Administrator Pat I~aers, Finance Director Lon Johnson, City
Attorney Peter Beck, and Recording Secretary, Tina Allard
1. Call Meedng To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called
to order at 5:25 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Work Program
Mayor I, CLinzing stated that the Council is having this worksession to discuss the work
program ~'or the city adnmnistrator and the City of Elk River as recommended by Jh'n
Brimeyer, The Brh'neyer Group, Inc. The Council discussed organizational management,
council/staff relations, and governance.
Orffaniza tional Mana~emen t
The Council stated that more feedback and evaluation of personnel performance should be
completed. The Council questioned and discussed how department goals could be
established prior to citywide goals or a ci ,t-ywide strategic plan being adopted.
The Council directed the city administrator to get input from staff and the Council and then
to propose options for a preferred organizational structure for the city,, including stafting
levels, reporting relationships, and a timetable for implementation.
Council/Sta££ Rela tions
The Council felt that the establishment of a 5vorksession meeting each month would provide
for a-more informal meedng setting that would help to improve relations betxveen Council
and staff and would help in dae evaluation of city proposals and policies.
The Council agreed to discuss "acceptable rules of behavior" at a follow up meeting.
The Council was unsure how they would like to proceed ~vith goal structuring for the city.
They discussed departmental goals versus citywide goals. It was the consensus of the
Council d~at they are responsible for setting the goals, visioning, and the policymatdng for
the ciw. Discussion ~vas held on how much the Council should become involved ~vith day-
to-dav activities at staff level such as more committee involvement, conzing to City Hall a
couple of hours each ~veek, review of budget requests, etc.
Ciw Council Minutes Page 2
January 20, 2004
It was the consensus of' the Counc~_l to hold a ~vorksession on February 17, 2004 for the
Council to discuss theiz goals for the City, of Elk River. The Council noted that the xvork
program needs ~'urther discussion and review and that the mnetables need to be established
for the various work areas when the xvork program is adopted.
3. Adjournment
There being no ~*urther business, Mavor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of' the Elk River
City Council at 6:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Tina Allard
Joan Schmidt, City Clerk