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that later that evening Mr. Kraft acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate. The fact that it <br />had even occurred solidified her belief that City Council has a responsibility to make a public <br />statement that such behavior is not acceptable and Mayor Welsch has the responsibility as their <br />leader to make sure that it takes place. Ms. Martin stated that until these essential elements of <br />respect amongst members of Council are repaired, Council will continue to have difficulty moving <br />forward with the business of this City. She stated that she certainly does not know how to fix all of <br />this, but her belief is that making a public statement about appropriate behavior would be a good first <br />step. <br /> <br />David Harris, 8039 Gannon, University City, MO <br />Mr. Harris stated that as a compromise he would like to suggest that instead of increasing the <br />number of members required to introduce an item on the agenda that Council amend their rules to <br />require that any issue that is defeated or passed, can only be reconsidered at a subsequent session <br />based on Section 37 of Robert’s Rules, which requires a Councilmember who voted on the winning <br />side to bring it back up. He stated this should take care of what are known as “Zombie resolutions” <br />that just don’t seem to die without taking a sledge hammer to kill the fly instead of a fly swatter. Mr. <br />Harris stated that he appreciated the fact that this specific proposed change has been tabled, but <br />there really is a need for a public comment period. He stated that Robert’s Rules allow Council to <br />set time and relevance rules for public comment, and personally he thought five minutes is too long. <br />He suggested that Council look at other municipalities and boards to see how they handle their <br />public comment periods. <br /> <br />COUNCIL’S COMMENTS <br />Mr. Glickert stated that he is the one who had proposed to Mr. Jennings and Mr. Sharpe that citizen <br />participation at the beginning of Council meetings was wrong and ought to be given some <br />consideration. He stated that tonight has been extraordinary and there have been some great ideas <br />presented, so what he would like to do is make a motion to postpone and move this agenda item to a <br />study session and was seconded by Mr. Crow. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated that since he’s been on this Council, changing the rules has always been something <br />that they’ve taken a measured approach towards, because they are not just establishing rules for <br />themselves, but for those members who will follow. Mr. Crow stated that historically a small working <br />group is established to look at the changes, then there is a study session for all members, and <br />thereafter they are placed on the agenda. He stated that tonight’s actions have been far different, so <br />he would vote in favor of a postponement. Mr. Crow stated that he would like to reserve his <br />remaining comments for later in order to discuss in detail what the appropriate protocol should be for <br />a Councilmember and the repercussions that should occur when they do not do what is expected of <br />them. He concluded by giving Mr. Harris his word that if Council ever addressed any of these <br />resolutions and they were voted down; he would not bring them back up again. <br /> <br />Dr. Carr stated that she would like to thank Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Jennings for trying to solve the <br />problem and Mr. Glickert for proposing a postponement. Dr Carr stated that maybe this is the <br />beginning of Council taking a step forward to work together. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft stated that too often City Council meetings have not been about the City’s business. <br />Discussions have been about scoring points against the other side and demonizing the messenger <br />rather than being about the message. He stated that the problem is that Robert’s Rules does allow <br />resolutions to be brought back again and again. After talking to Mr. Harris, he believed that his <br />approach is one that he could live with, although tonight is not going to be the night to try and <br />negotiate such a complicated situation. Mr. Kraft stated that all of this did not just start this week. In <br />fact, Council meetings have been uncomfortable for everybody for almost two years. So he certainly <br />supported Mr. Jennings and Mr. Sharpe’s attempt to turn these meetings into becoming more <br />productive and he does not think that having to wait a couple of weeks will be a total disaster. <br /> <br />Voice vote on the motion to delay consideration of Resolution <br />6 <br /> <br /> <br />