HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformational MemoInformational Memorandum
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Department Heads
FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator
DATE: March 12, 2009
SUBJECT: Special City Council Workshop Meeting 3/30/09
Mayor Hicks and I conducted a meeting on Friday March 5, 2009 to discuss the agenda for the special City Council
Workshop meeting scheduled for Monday March 30, 2009. Mayor Hicks and I have outlined the following agenda
for the meeting, scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM that evening, in the Volunteer Room.
5:30-6:00 PM Box Lunch and Gathering
6:00-6:30 PM Team Building Exercise
Discussion: Over the years, Mayor Hicks and I, along with several other members of the
City Council and Staff have participated in Council Workshops and Goal Setting sessions with a reasonable amount
of time set aside for a team building, role clarification and "ice-breaking" type exercise. Paul and I will be
collaborating on preparing for that exercise, in an effort to assure all learn more about one another and understand
the importance of working together as a team; not necessarily all in agreement 100% of the time, but certainly
working for the betterment of the City of Hastings on a consistent and focused basis.
6:30-7:15 PM Highway #61 Bridge Project
Discussion: John Grossman, John Hinzman, Barry Bernstein and Tom Montgomery will
be asked to join the group during this portion of the meeting. There are numerous topics warranting some candid
discussion among the City Council, which might include, but not necessarily limited to: design options; trails and
"spiral bridge" connection; funding; aesthetics, etc. Mayor Hicks will be encouraging the City Council to take action
at a regular meeting, offering the City Council's perspective on the preferred bridge design.
7:15-8:00 PM "Open Mic"
Discussion: Mayor Hicks will lead a discussion with the City Council during this
segment, providing an opportunity for each member of the City Council to discuss what might be on their mind. Are
there some issues, topics, concerns or goals you would like to share with your colleagues. Some of those may or
may not have any budget implications, but certainly with the pending difficult 2010 Budget process, there may
prove to be timely issues. The important point is for the City Councilmembers (and Mayor) to offer their comments
on issues that maybe of significance to them during this segment of the agenda.
While there is no set time for adjournment and the meeting may well extend to 8:30 PM or so, both the Mayor and I
thought it imperative to have some parameters on the discussions, to assure timely review of each topic and a
reasonable adjournment time. Please let me know if you will be attending the meeting, so that dinner can be
arranged for those in attendance. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either Mayor