COUNCIL WORKSHOP

Members of Council met in a Workshop Session on January 16, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Weyandt, Mr. Lynn, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Lambert. Mr. Levitt and Mr. Pitts arrived at 8:10 p.m. Mayor Richter was also present.

Mr. Worley explained that the workshop was set as a result of suggested topics of discussion by members of Council during their 1991 retreat.

Information Available to Council

The City Manager reviewed the memorandum he submitted to Council that details the type of information currently available to Council (attachment #1). Members of Council discussed additional types of information that could be useful. Mr. Salters stated his feeling that needed information is already available but members of Council need to be made aware of where to go to find it.

While discussing the need for members of Council to be immediately informed on important issues, staff relayed the difficulty experienced in making personal contact with all members of Council in a short period of time. Mr. Worley relayed that some cities provide their Council members with facsimile machines so that information can be relayed immediately, without the need of personal contact. Mr. Christiansen suggested the use of pagers and Mr. Lynn discussed the possibility of use of personal computers. Many concepts were discussed for future means of keeping Council members informed of important issues. The City Manager's weekly update was considered a good source of information for Council, with some suggesting that Mr. Worley include more detailed information on weekly occurrences of the various departments.

While discussing item B-4 (Quarterly Open Town Meetings) some members voiced their feeling that the Town Meetings are costly and unnecessary since the addition of the 15 Minute Open Forum at the end of each Council meeting. Mr. Lambert suggested that offering specific informational programs of interest to the public might improve public attendance and participation at the Town Meetings. It was noted that Mayor Richter has held such informational meetings but citizen attendance was still low. Members of Council generally agreed that beginning with the May Quarterly Open Town Meeting, the meeting be held within a facility in one of the Council districts until a meeting has been held in each of the four districts. It is hoped that holding the meetings within the community will encourage citizen and civic association participation. The success of the meetings will be evaluated after a meeting has been held in the four Council districts.

Intergovernmental Relations

One of the 1991-92 goals adopted by City Council was to improve intergovernmental relations with both the County and State. In a memorandum to Council (attachment #2), the City Manager detailed the current existing contacts with the County and State. Members of Council requested that relations with Dover Air Force Base be included as an important body for review of intergovernmental relations.

Mayor Richter stated that the City has an excellent relationship with Dover Air Force Base. Certain members of Council are meeting monthly with representatives of Kent County Levy Court which most felt has enhanced the relationship of the two bodies. Mayor Richter suggested that a similar arrangement be set up for periodic discussions with legislative representatives.

Referring to item #4 (Potential Legislative agendas for Kent County Levy Court and State Legislature), members of Council agreed that the City should pursue legislation relating to Municipal Liens and Polling Hours for City elections. Members suggested that the City Solicitor prepare legislation to change our polling hours to coincide with the State's polling hours which are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Since much of the preparations are completed the day before the election, the City Clerk requested that the election day be changed to the third Tuesday of April rather than the third Monday of April. This would allow City elections to fall on the same day of the week as State elections. It was agreed that the Solicitor should prepare the necessary legislation for submission to the General Assembly.

Goal Workshop

Council reviewed the proposed 1992 Goal Workshop as submitted by the City Manager (attachment #3). It was agreed that the dates should be changed to February 28 and 29, 1992 since some members were unable to attend on the proposed dates of February 21 and 22, 1992.

Mr. Lynn moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                                    Council President

RRC/DJB/jg

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