TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Taylor, City Clerk
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Pre- Agenda Meetings to Brief the City Commission in a Public Meeting on Upcoming Agenda Items.
Recommended Action
Discussion and Possible Action to Direct the City Manager to schedule Pre-Agenda Meetings the Thursday before regularly scheduled commission meetings, as needed.
Background Information
On November 24, 2020 Commission provided consensus to “bring back pre-agenda discussion as a discussion item in a public meeting or team building meeting.”
The current process for reviewing agenda items consists of Commissioner’s attending one-on-one briefings with the City Manager and City Attorney. If a question is asked by a Commissioner and requires a detailed response, the City Manager will reach out to the respective Director to request a written response. If a Commissioner is unable to attend a briefing, questions are often emailed to the City Manager.
Today’s item is to discuss the options and benefits for the Commission to consider group briefings that would be held a Thursday or Friday before a regular meeting with City Commission and relevant city staff to answer their questions about agenda items. A benefit to this form of briefing is that Commissioners will be able to hear each other’s questions and answers from staff.
Attached is a presentation that includes process, more pros and cons, and comparisons of other local governments who use this model, including a comparison of number of hours spent in different Commission meetings.
Strategic Plan
Efficient and Effective Government
Financial Impact
None
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. Commission Direction
Prepared by: Heather Taylor, City Clerk
Department Director: Heather Taylor, City Clerk