05-13-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 13, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; Fred Wroge and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING OPEN FORUM (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 75)
City Manager Devich stated that at the April 22, 2008 Special City Council Worksession, the
City Council discussed cablecasting the Open Forum portion of the Regular City Council Meeting. The
City Council suggested several options but was unable to reach a consensus due to a lack of time and
requested continued discussion.
Council Member Sandahl said she did not support televising the Open Forum because
typically, the City Council does not respond to the comments since the facts are not known in advance
so a problem is not solved and mis-information is not corrected. She prefers the Open Forum be held
15 minutes prior to the start of the Regular City Council Meeting and a five-minute per speaker limit
rather than a three-minute limit. She suggested adding another Open Forum at the end of the meeting.
if necessary.
Council Member Wroge stated he believes the public is entitled to the televising of the Open
Forum. The metropolitan survey indicates that other cities televise the Open Forum with success. He
suggested the red/yellow/green indicator to alert speakers to their time allotment and keeping the
three-minute per speaker limit. He continued that the City Council typically directs staff to review the
comments made at the Open Forum so problems are solved.
Council Member Wroge said the Mayor should control the clock and time. Televising should be
tried for one or two years and then revisited, if necessary. Those speakers who have a problem with
following the Open Forum rules should be limited but all residents should not be restricted because of
only a few.
Council Member Kilian stated he is firmly against televising the Open Forum because he
considers it a disservice to the community. This was evident at the last Open Forum when the
Mayor’s request to stop speaking was disregarded.
Council Member Kilian added that the success at other cities of limiting the speaker time is
not indicated in the survey.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- May 13, 2008
Council Member Rosenberg stated support for televising the Open Forum because it can be
conducted respectfully. The argument of not being able to control speakers during the Open Forum
is no different than not controlling the speakers at a public hearing. She said the Mayor has
demonstrated to her that she can control a meeting. S added that she reserved the right to revisit the
televising if it is unsuccessful _
Mayor Goettel suggested she be able to control the sound on a speaker's microphone. She
could also control the light monitor. She expressed support to try televising and revisiting the issue
later, if necessary.
Council Member Sandahl requested there be a set time to start the regular City Council
business meeting so that items on the agenda can be addressed.
Council Member Kilian stated that there should be no personal attacks made by speakers and
if a speaker makes a not well-informed statement, he will respond. -
Council Member Wroge suggested the Open Forum begin at 6:45 p.m. and the Regular City
Council Meeting at 7 p.m.
Council Member Sandahl added the suggestion of re-evaluating the success in one year.
City Manager Devich stated that a 6:45 p.m. Open Forum will reduce the amount of time
available for Worksessions.
Council Member Wroge suggested asix-month trial of starting the Open Forum at 7 p.m. with
the City Council business meeting starting at 7:15 p.m.
Council Member Sandahl added there be athree-minute time limit per speaker.
The City Council consensus was to amend the Rules of Procedure & Decorum related to the
Open Forum as follows:
• Mayor monitor time with ared/yellow/green indicator to alert speakers to their time
allotment.
• Mayor control sound of the speaker's microphone.
• Three minutes per speaker.
• Fifteen minute Open Forum from 7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
• Regular City Council business meeting begin at 7:15 p.m.
The City Council directed s to amend the Open Forum portion of the Rules of Procedure and
Decorum to be on the May 27, 2009 City Council agenda for consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unar
Date. Approved: -May 27, 2008
Cheryl K mholz
Recording Secretary
City Manager