HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-20 Special Minutes - City Council RetreatMeeting Summary
January 20, 2018
La Conner Channel Lodge
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205 N. 1 St.
La Conner, WA 98257
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Zak Idan, Laurel Humphrey
(Guest: Glen Morgan)
Council President Seal called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. and welcomed attendees. She
reviewed the agenda and ground rules, reiterating that no decisions would be made during the
retreat setting. Attendees went around the room, sharing two truths and a lie about themselves as
an ice breaker to start the day.
Discussion on Policies/Procedures
Councilmembers reviewed policies
and Review Staff will make minor adjustments to the policies on planned absences and
travel and will work on an amendment to the Council Procedures ordinance to address the consent
agenda. Council President Seal will email the Council to clarify expectations around last minute
amendments or other handouts during meetings. Councilmembers also discussed etiquette in
executive sessions, proper protocol at events, and proper pronunciation of names.
The City Council discussed strategies to strengthen Council communications as City messaging is
often from the point of view of Administration. Options include the Council Message in the Annual
Report. Councilmember pages on the website, and regular reporting on significant Council actions.
Emails to the Council will receive a response from the Council President with a copy to staff or
Committee Chair as appropriate. Staff will facilitate new portraits for the lobby.
Tel: 206-433-www.tukwilawa.gov
2018 Council Retreat Summary ..................................................................................................................... page 2
Effective Public Comment
Councilmembers discussed ideas to make the public comment portion of meetings welcoming and
understandable to encourage more people to participate. The Kent City Council has good sample
language in its Council brochure. Expectations should be clear, and people should be informed that
Councilmembers are not in a position to directly answer questions during meetings, nor should
commenters ask questions of staff. Public comment tips and expectations should be provided in
different languages. Staff will work with Administration on additional signage. Staff follow-ups to
public comment are not always consistent or known to the Council. The Council President will work
with Administration on a more consistent process to track follow-ups.
Committee Work Plans
Committee Chairs distributed preliminary work plans for each standing Committee and led a
discussion on their expectations for the year ahead. Work plans outline anticipated items for the
year and are subject to change. Council President Seal is interested in doing a mid-
The City Council adjourned for a lunch break at noon and came back to order at 1:05 p.m.
Communication among Councilmembers
Councilmember Hougardy read Carol
. Council President
Seal
guidelines for effective group decision-making.
Community Engagement in 2018
Councilmembers discussed opportunities for effective community engagement. There was interest
in restructuring the monthly Council Chats, which typically have very low public attendance. Ideas
include a social event with the School Board, Councilmember attendance at public safety and block
watch events, walking the neighborhood, mobile coffee cart, and quarterly events with multiple
Councilmembers. These events could include a bike ride, a table at parent-teacher night at a school,
kids and Council at the Community Center, and a Council President book club.
Roundtable/Miscellaneous
Councilmember Kruller will work with staff on ordering new metal badges for Council. City branding
efforts this year should include the Council. Staff will work with Administration and the City Attorney
on a strategy for publicizing the impact and costs of public disclosure requests. Staff will work with
the City Attorney on streamlining the process associated with ethics complaints.
The 2018 Tukwila City Council retreat was adjourned at 4:39 p.m.