CCMIN111495 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Roush added that sometimes if it gets late into the evening, Council may not get to that item and so then it gets continued. It was moved by Mr. Pico, and seconded by Ms. Dennis, to approve the staff recommendation implementing a revised agenda format. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Councilmembers - Dennis, Pico, and Mayor Tarvet NOES: Councilmember Michelotti ABSENT: Councilmember Mohr ABSTAIN: None Ms. Michelotti then referred to the procedure that allows a single Councilmember to continue an item once. She objected to this procedure and referred to the recommendation from the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) that Council look at this closely. She felt the Committee's points were very strong. Mayor Tarver commented that if you were ever in a position where you feel you do not have enough information, or have adequate time to he prepared to act on an item in your capacity as a City Councilperson, it would be a disservice to let it move on. lie stated he had a problem with the lack of time the public and the Council have to absorb the information that is in some of the packets. That might cause someone to say I haven't had time and need to continue the item. Ms. Michelotti believed that a Councilmember in a position of not being prepared or needing more information could get the support of two other Councilmembers to continue an item if the Councilmember felt that. Or, Counc~ could take public input and then continue the item. But to continue an item without explanation delays the process. Ms. Dennis understood EDAC's point of view, but likes the current rule because when you need more information you usually have Council concurrence. Sometimes the business community might want the Councilmember to be an advocate and continue an item. Ms. Michelotti commented that to continue an item for political reasons is unacceptable to her. Mayor Tarver replied that he felt Ms. Michelotti was speaking about motives and did not want to see Council get into a point where there is an argument about personal rights. We all have to represent the citizens and make decisions based on where we are at and if we are not ready, we should be able to say that. The community can come to Council meetings and continue items when they are not ready and Council agrees all the time. We are a body elected to make decisions and if one of us feels uncomfortable about making a decision, that person regardless of reason should have the right to request a continuanee. We do it with the public and we should have that ability. We should not judge each other's motivations. A 11/14/95 -12-