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late, people want to go home. He said there is something to be said for everybody being able to say <br />their little closing piece and then adjourn. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe asked what would be the point in change if Council were to use Rule 10, number 16 like <br />number 13. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch said that the suggestion that was being looked at to change, would allow time for <br />members of Council to discuss things with each other. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow said if we expanded the definition, he would have to agree with Mr. Kraft that at the end of a <br />long meeting the Council would more than likely be evoked to cut off the discussion. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft said at this point, the Council should just stick with what we know and what we know that is <br />working and we can revisit that later if needed. Mr. Kraft said if the concern is there is not enough <br />chance for discussion the Council can work on broadening the discussion within the agenda we have. <br />He said the advantage of having an agenda is so everyone is aware of the topics to be discussed <br />whereas Council comments can be on topics that everyone is not prepared for. <br /> <br />Ms. Ricci offered how she would word Rule 13, “Council Communications portion of the agenda is <br />designed to allow for the sharing of ideas and opinions relevant to the business of the City.” <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft stated that ideas can be sent among the Councilmembers as he does not think something <br />that has worked for years should be changed on a whim. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch asked Mr. Kraft to come up with a phrase to send around for comments from <br />Councilmembers. She said the concern seems to be the second sentence of Rule 13. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe said if the second sentence is not taken out then he would like to leave Rule 12 the way it <br />was. <br /> <br />Mr. Walker noted that one of the things he has been trying to do in the interest of providing the public <br />with accurate and complete information is to encourage Councilmembers to provide questions in <br />advance with the intent of staff having time to provide accurate and complete information. He stated <br />that if a member of Council can come to a meeting with ten questions written out; he/she could <br />provide these questions to staff ahead of time. Mr. Walker stated he thought that was a fair request if <br />the true intent was to ensure the citizens have accurate information. He noted that it was unfair and <br />unreasonable to come to a Council meeting with fifteen questions and expect answers to them. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch stated that the way it presently is set up, if a Councilmember provides the questions <br />ahead of time, the Chair could grant the okay for the City Manager to answer them. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated that he was not concerned about the ability to question staff as he is about <br />Councilmembers to be able to have the conversation back and forth. He said the City Manager is <br />different than the rest of the City Staff in being able to ask questions. Mr. Crow said his issue on this <br />rule is not about staff or even the City Manager, but rather Councilmembers to have the ability to have <br />the dialogue and Q & A back and forth. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft said the problem with the back and forth is that there is no specific topic and nothing is out of <br />order. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch said there was no objection to dropping the second sentence in Rule 13. <br /> <br />Mr. Walker asked how we settle on staff or City Manager’s responses to Council questions. He said <br />proper and complete answers can only be provided if the questions are sent to the City Manager <br />ahead of time. Mr. Walker said if the second sentence is dropped there will be expectations that <br />those questions will be answered. <br /> <br />