LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
January 7, 2012
City of Lakewood
City Hall Conference Room 3A
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Richardson called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: 7 – Mayor Douglas Richardson; Deputy Mayor Don Anderson; Councilmembers Mary Moss, Mike Brandstetter, Jason Whalen, Marie Barth and Paul Bocchi.
City Staff Present: City Manager Andrew Neiditz and City Attorney Heidi Ann Wachter
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Review of Council Protocols
There was consensus to use a formal style in addressing Councilmembers and City Staff during City meetings in Council Chambers by title rather than first name.
There was also general agreement that, particularly given televising meetings, that staff, in giving reports to Council, provide sufficient background that a viewer's understanding of the report does not depend on having seen the previous meeting or report.
Council discussed taking public positions after having taken a position by Resolution, when such a Resolution has not been passed but there is general agreement and when there is not general agreement, particularly if the public comment is a minority view.
Role of Council verses role of Administration was discussed with some attention to how long some projects can take and Council's need to know project status in order to answer constituents. There was consensus that current contact and communication between Council, Executive and staff is working well.
Discussion ensued about balancing specific citizen concerns with City priorities (people want their pothole filled, police attention, etc.). Citizens don't always understand the role of Council; they are not looking to create problems they just don't know the best way to get their problems solved. Effective communication and coordination between Council and staff has resulted in quick response to citizen concerns.
Council committees and ad hoc committees were discussed. There with general consensus that a Committee of the Whole format is effective with ad hoc committees as necessary.
Council discussions outside formal meetings help avoid surprises but cannot rise to the level of a serial meeting.
Council Assignments
Citizens’ Advisory Boards and Committees (CABC) Liaisons
External Boards, Committees and Commissions
Council discussed liaison role of committees and the relationship with Council.
The need for a clear purpose and direction for some of the committees was discussed.
The Youth Council should be added to the CABC list.
The Council proceeded to discuss assignments for both internal and external committees.
LESA Board is dissolving and Mayor Richardson was appointed to the LESA Board and will serve on South Sound 911. Legislation will be prepared accordingly.
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Council recessed for lunch at 12:15 p.m. for lunch and reconvened at 12:22 p.m.
Review of Ongoing Council Priorities
Discussion ensued on the need for coordination with other cities on regional issues such as Pierce Transit, Flood Control and have a more in-depth Council retreat in the spring.
City Manager Neiditz reviewed the current Council priorities and introduced Assistant City Manager Dave Bugher who assisted in the review of the work being done at staff level within those priorities.
Discussion centered around ongoing development and anticipated projects including the City Center, Pacific Highway, Tillicum and Woodbrook.
The importance of under grounding utilities was mentioned, as was renaming Pacific Avenue/South Tacoma Way and the "International District."
Councilmember Bocchi expressed interest in timelier monthly reporting on crime and join the County system where citizens can access crime mapping as is currently available in Pierce County. There was some discussion of related cost and available resources. He suggested that the Chief report quarterly to Council on crime statistics. He also suggested collaboration with other agencies and Pierce County on human services and programs designed to help prevent crime. Councilmember Whalen suggested that a link for people who want to receive it might work.
Discussion ended on the Parks Legacy Plan; military liaison; annexation of JBLM and/or Arrowhead/Partridge Glenn; and relationship with educational institutions.
Open Discussion
Council requested that a Resolution be brought before the Council at the next meeting to support the CPSD levy.
The potential benefit of appearing in "Today in America" was discussed as well as the connection with branding the City. The consensus was to proceed, using LTAC funds.
Timelines for the City Manager's evaluation were set.
Discussion on setting a full day for Council to discuss ideas to review current goals, interest in maintaining focus on annexation and supporting strategies for annexation, and economic development goals. It was clarified that the full day will emphasize goal setting within economic development, with attention to annexation, public safety, and public roads (as a new priority). Deputy Mayor Anderson suggested that if the retreat is to confirm existing goals, staff reports should inform Council of current status. The City Manager reminded Council that status reports can be provided weekly. The Mayor recommended a 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. schedule for a full day retreat.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:43 p.m.
_____________________________________
DOUGLAS G. RICHARDSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
ALICE M. BUSH, MMC
CITY CLERK
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