Navigating the Rough Waters During a Council Meeting
Navigating the Rough Waters
During a Council Meeting
“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”
John Maxwell
First and Foremost
• Remember a City Council meeting is a business meeting of the governing body
Thoughts
Keep your sense of humor
but also a straight face.
Decorum
• Keep business meeting environment• Know the rules – Robert Rules of Order• Limit time for speakers• Establish rules, e.g.
– No props– Sign up to speak in advance
Speaker Cards
Leadership
• Lead• Make the difficult but necessary decisions• Empower your team• Execute your plan
Case Study 7/13/20
• Pandemic• Frustrated City Council• Angry citizens• Fearful citizens• Community tension• Protest
Pandemic
• City shut down• Stay-at-home order• Businesses shut down• Graduations canceled• Nursing homes locked down• High tension• Churches and bars shut down
City Council Considerations
• Frustrations• Health concerns/anxiety• Unable to meet in person• Feeling isolated • Excessive citizen complaints• Budget concerns
Angry Citizens
• Health/Safety concerns• Fear• Isolation• Loss of income• Political factors
HEADLINES
Community Tension
Police officer among 4 killed in Missouri shooting, chief says
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The police chief in Springfield said one of his officers was among the four people who were killedby a shooter at a gas station late Sunday night.
Community Tension
Record numbers of COVID-19 reported by Springfield-Greene County Health Department
Community Tension
‘I can't breathe’ - Ongoing coverage of the killing of George Floyd
Community Tension
Thousands gather for protest, march in downtown Springfield over racial injustice
Community Tension
Missouri Police Officer Intentionally Struck by Vehicle Outside of Headquarters
A Springfield Police Officer Mark Priebe was seriously injured after he was intentionally struck in front of headquarters.
Homeless man is arrested for 'ramming his car into a Missouri cop and telling them “you guys knew you had this coming”
Community Tension
Community Tension
• Pandemic• Political polarization• Unemployment• Racial tensions
Keys to Success
• Coordination and communication• Planning• Creativity• Innovation• Strong leadership
Citizen Engagement
• Email• Phone line• Online comment forms• Ability to be heard• Managing expectations through constant
communication• No surprises
Plan
How to deal with 106 scheduled speakers……while navigating
– 6-foot social distancing– Safety – health checks– Safety – protest and racial tensions– Addressing City Council electronically
Communicate
• Provide other members of City Council information – Overview of citizen response– Potential motions– Legal considerations
• Solicit input from members of City Council– Express their concerns
Communicate
• Provide citizens with necessary information– What to expect– Why process is in place– Reassurance– Respect
Execute
• Put the plan into action• Take the necessary steps• Prepare for the unexpected
Evaluate
• Lessons learned• Accomplishments• Celebrate • Start over
Statistics
• 8,592 Submitted online comments • 3,287 phone tree messages• 86 citizen speakers – masking• 9 citizen speakers – other bills• 11 citizen speakers – Open Mic Night• 6 hour and 45-minute meeting
Other Cases
• Galloway• Pit Bulls• Difficult Council Interactions• Payday Loans
QUESTIONS