CC 11-14-23 Workshop Summary Attachment A_Mutual Expectations_Written Communications
ATTACHMENT A
Kevin Duggan’s Sugges�ons
Adjec�ves That Describe an Effec�ve City Council/Council Member:
• Fair
• Though�ul
• Respec�ul of Each Other, the Staff and the Public
• Honest/Ethical
• Dedicated
• Collegial
• Responsible (Including Fiscally & to the Public)
• Accessible
• Collabora�ve
• Take Their Roles Seriously, But Not Themselves
• Serve as Good Role Models
• Transparent
• Effec�ve Decision Makers
• Demonstrate Emo�onal Maturity
• Conducts Business in a Way That Engenders Public Confidence
• Effec�ve/Accomplishes
• Ability to Find Compromise
• Establishes and Maintains Trust (Among the Members, With the Staff and With the
Public)
• Represent the Community Effec�vely
• Form an Effec�ve Team with Each Other and With the Staff
What Council Members Need From Each Other:
• Respect for Different Perspec�ves & Opinions
• Effec�ve Listening Skills
• Emo�onal Maturity
• Ability to Handle Conflict Respec�ully
• Coming to Mee�ngs Prepared/Do Homework
• Treat the Public, the Staff and Other “Audiences” With Respect
• Support Council Decisions
• Deal With Issues With Honesty
• Ability to “Move On” From Council Votes
• Support Efficient Mee�ngs
ATTACHMENT A
What Council/Council Members Need From Staff:
• High Standards of Work Performance
• Responsiveness to Council and Community Members
• Complete and Professional Staff Work
• Avoid Bringing Personal Value Judgements to Recommenda�ons
• Keep Personal Opinions/Preferences in Check
• Equal Communica�on/Informa�on to All Council Members
• Respect for the Office of Council Member
• Apprecia�on for the Pressures Under Which Elected Officials Serve
• Good Customer Service/Ci�zen Responsiveness
• Crea�vity and Innova�on
• No Surprises
• Accountability—Taking Responsibility
• Ethical Conduct/Integrity
• Straight and Complete Informa�on
• Need for the Manager to be Poli�cally Astute Without Being Poli�cal
• Respect for the Policy Making Role of Council Members
• Long Term Perspec�ve
• Professional Competency
• Selec�on/Reten�on of High-Quality Staff
• Know When to Withdraw from Council Delibera�ons
What Staff Needs From Council/Council Members:
• Respect for the Council/Manager Form of Government
• Recognize and Value Professional Knowledge and Exper�se
• Understand the Professional Obliga�ons of the City Manager & Staff
• Clear Policy Direc�ons
• Speak With a Unified Voice
• Support the Hiring of High-Quality Staff
• Clear Communica�on and Feedback
• Honesty/No Hidden Agendas
• Tolerance for Mistakes & Imperfec�ons
• Focus on the “What” vs. the “How”
• Appreciate That a “Professional Perspec�ve” May Not Always Line Up With a
“Community Perspec�ve”
• Don’t Atack the Messenger if You Don’t Agree With the Message
• Clear Opera�ng Policies & Respect for Those Policies
• Willingness to Make Tough Decisions/“Say NO”
ATTACHMENT A
• Openness to Crea�vity and Innova�on
• Respect for Communica�on Protocols
• Provide Direc�on in the Appropriate Way (Through the Manager by the En�re Council)
• No Surprises/Blindsiding
• Avoid Jumping to Conclusions Regarding Complaints
• Respec�ul Treatment
• Willingness to Set Priori�es
• Ethical Conduct/Integrity