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Session 1934 <br />September 20, 2004 <br /> <br />the developers are involved. Mr. Ollendorff said there are certain community <br />leaders who have the same request and have been promised by him and by the <br />Council that they would be kept informed, for example, leaders in the U City <br />Loop. Communication is always two-way and kept confidential. Ms. Brot <br />reiterated that Council should be informed first, before businessmen and <br />developers. Mayor Adams pointed out that developers often approach the City <br />informally with ideas, not necessarily seeking a decision, and that the City cannot <br />seek to defer nor to control this type of approach. The City does not usually send <br />out Requests for Proposals in advance. Ms. Brot anticipates the Advisory Board <br />for Economic Progress making suggestions that will be promulgated. She asked <br />if the City reaches that point, if RFP's could be sent and was advised they could <br />be. <br /> <br />Discussion about a previous experience with Loop businessmen ensued and <br />there was mention of the different points at which different interested parties are <br />informed, who makes decisions about the viability of projects and the content of <br />decisions and the sequence of these events. Councilmember Brot said "the new <br />Council wants to move the City ahead but feels they are 'not in the loop' where <br />projects are concerned, that some members feel left out." Discussion as to the <br />sequencing of communicating proposals within the City government and with <br />business people ensued. Ms. Brot stressed the need of the Council to play a <br />major role in carrying out policies and functions and the need for Council to know <br />of plans before discussion is held with businesses. Ms. Welsch wants to be <br />advised, upfront, via e-mail or by telephone when a approach from a business <br />arises so that she can respond; she does not approve of "considering <br />businessmen in the Loop as 'equal' to the Council", stressing the need for the <br />entire Council to be informed of proposals before businessmen learn of them. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe pointed out that changes in the "Sunshine Law" will affect the use of <br />email as communication. Mayor Adams stressed the need to delineate and <br />define a standard for notification of all members of the Council. Ms. Welsch said <br />every attempt should be made to contact her and that she would advise the <br />Council if she was not to be disturbed. Mr. Ollendorff stressed that this <br />procedure was the one currently employed, asking about the problem of time lag <br />and how it could affect effective communication with developers. He also pointed <br />out that there is a difference between "ideas" and "actual plans." Mayor Adams <br />said Councilmembers are contacted routinely and that communication of every <br />detail could result in total information overload. Mr. Ollendorff said his policy was <br />to use discretion in communicating information, for example the Gay Field lights, <br />which influenced some Councilmembers more than others. Ms. Brot urged that <br />every Councilmember should receive notice of everything, while agreeing there is <br />a difference between issues and proposals. <br /> <br />Political Si.qn Ordinance <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br />