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Minutes <br />City Council Work Session <br />Monday, March 11, 2024, 5:00 PM <br />City Council Chambers | 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br />ROLL CALL <br />City Council members present: Mayor Dennis Walsh, City Council Members Alisa Benson, Matt <br />Johnson, and Maria Veach. <br />Staff present: City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards and City Clerk Christine Lusian. <br />TECHNOLOGY USE AT DIAS <br />Administrator Edwards introduced the topic of using technology, specifically cell phones, at the <br />dias during public meetings. Council discussed the appropriateness of city council members <br />exchanging messages during official meetings in various situations, like with members of the <br />public outside of public comment period, during closed sessions, with staff, and with each other. <br />Edwards clarified that the city attorney advised councilmembers not to exchange messages with <br />each other, to prevent violation of open meeting law.Council members also reminded each other <br />of the resources available from the League of Minnesota Cities Meetings of Councils or the <br />International City/County Management Association Code of Ethics if council decides to develop <br />its own policy. <br />COUNCIL-STAFF TIME <br />Administrator Edwards introduced the topic of council members individually directing staff or <br />using staff time. Council discussed the practice of keeping interactions with staff to a minimum <br />and less than 15 minutes if it is an emergency. Council members discussed that its statutory <br />duties are to be performed by the council as a whole. Council members have no administrative <br />authority as individuals and do not give orders to staff to avoid liability for taking unauthorized <br />actions. Members reminded each other of the resources available, like the LMC Handbook for <br />elected officials for guidance on its role.Edwards reminded council that any new, controversial, <br />and/or time-consuming interaction should go through Edwards for the evaluation of resources, <br />priorities, and schedules. Edwards also reminded the group that campaign season is approaching <br />and while campaign signs are allowed on private property, city roles are non-partisan and any <br />political activity during business hours or using city resources would violate personnel policy. <br />CIVILITY OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED <br />Administrator Edwards introduced the topic of civility and conduct of council members and <br />elected or appointed officials. Council discussed policy language from other cities and the option <br />to develop its own guidelines for conduct between members and with the public.Members <br />agreed that everyone should feel safe and discussed the meeting procedure and maintaining order <br />during meetings. Members also discussed different leadership and personality styles and various <br />examples and levels of inappropriate behavior. Staff will draft a cheat sheet to help remind <br />members and the public of the meeting procedures required by city code and the procedures and <br />penalties for unacceptable behavior. <br />4