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<br />Councilmember McGovern noted that having served on the School Board <br />Association at a state level, many times there would be newly brought up policy that <br />was not discussed prior to the meeting. Also, there could be amendments to policy. <br />She expressed the difficulty in keeping the Council fully informed prior to the <br />meetings, yet the representative is expected to vote. She questioned what would <br />happened, if a member brings the issue to the full Council after a vote has been <br />taken at a committee level and the Council does not concur. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding previous votes taken by representatives at LA VMA <br />when there were topics that came up without the ability to take these issues to the <br />full City Council. It was noted that policy issues such as the size of the expansion <br />project and far reaching implications as they relate to growth-related issues in the <br />Valley are what should reflect the will of the Council majority. It was noted that it is <br />more of a judgment call on behalf of each representative. The difficulty of bringing <br />issues back to the Council without the benefit of the full committee discussion was <br />also expressed. <br /> <br />The issue of City Council out-of-state travel costs being public information was also <br />expressed. It was noted when the City budget is presented it would be as detail <br />oriented as possible. <br /> <br />With respect to titles for Commissioners, there is no Council policy that addresses <br />individuals representing their special interest groups other than the Commission as a <br />whole. It was requested to include particular issues in the city policy. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman invited public comment. <br /> <br />Tom Pico addressed the City Council indicating he does not feel the City Council has <br />a problem with respect to this issue that needs to be fixed. In his twelve years of <br />serving on the Council, he does not recall an instance where a councilmember <br />misrepresented the city on a major item. He asked that the Council make sure, if <br />they consider changes, that they consider the fact that there is a need to be flexible. <br />He stated the public relies on the Council in their elected capacities to represent the <br />community. He noted in his capacity as the previous Mayor of Pleasanton, he had <br />attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and sometimes there were more than a <br />hundred resolutions to be voted on. You don't always have the opportunity to bring <br />these issues before the full Council. He thanked the Mayor and Council for all their <br />good work. <br /> <br />Hearing no further requests to speak, the comment period was closed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Sullivan agreed with Mr. Pico's comments. He noted the need to <br />include written materials in the agenda packet was unreasonable. He noted elected <br />officials need to have some freedom to use good judgment in representing <br />constituents and the Council. He believes the Mayors Conference is a separate <br />issue from Council Committees and representatives. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGovern indicated she had no problem with listing her council <br />travel costs on the agenda for public information. <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />September 5, 2006 <br />