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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 07/10/1974 i CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 10, 1974 MINUTES 7:30 PM CITY HALL 95 i The meeting was called to order by Mayor Osterholt at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Meyers was requested to take minutes. Mayor Osterholt announced the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the relationship between the Council and Manager. C Mr. Jack Burke, 15507 Park Terrace Drive , Eden Prairie, requested permission to address the Council. Council agreed but comments were to be limited to ten minutes.- Mr. Burke expressed opposition to the procedure used to set this meeting. ' He felt the public was under the impression the topic was to be on the July 23rd regular Council Meeting Agenda. In his opinion, it was not fair to the public of Eden Prairie to discuss an issue of such importance when the public had little or no knowledge of this meeting and therefore, was not present to par— ticipate. He requested the meeting be dismissed . Mayor Osterholt read from the Handbook for Minnesota Villages the section regarding rules and regulations applying to special meetings. Mr. Burke felt the information was not current and suggested the Council adjourn to a private gentleman's discussion. Council members voiced legal _ restrictions to such a suggestion. The council decided to proceed with the meeting. Informal discussion would be confined to Council members. No motions would be made on the topic under discussion . Mr. Penzel reviewed the reasons f64 and contents of, his letter draft dated July 7, 1974, and delivered to all Council members July 9, 1974. Mrs . Pauly said the issue of the Council--Manager relationship should be on the July 23rd Agenda. Mrs . Meyers said it was her understanding it would be , and that the letter and its contents, as a means of resolving the issue, could be on the agenda if there was consensus of the Council to resolve this issue in this manner. She had some specific direction additions she would like included in a final draft. Mr. Penzel agreed we should take action but it should be backed by firm reason: MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DULY 10, 1974 a Page 2 ro A. Develop a written communication as a statement from the Council. B. Allow a reasonable length of time for evaluation (of Manager's com- pliance with written communication). . C. This is an accepted business practice.. Mayor Osterholt felt the problems discussed at the Special Council Meeting of July 1st were well summarized in the letter draft but it should be more specific. He explained to the Council that his remarks in the Sun Newspaper article of Wednesday, July 3 , 1974, were to be off the record and he felt the article has now forced the issue. Mayor Osterholt felt he had spoken to the Manager on behalf of the Council last spring. Mrs. Meyers said she was not aware of the specific concerns relayed to the Manager until the meeting of July 1st. Mr. McCulloch said he knew of the meeting between the Mayor and Manager but did not know of the substance of the discussion. Mr. Penzel felt the Mayor had not been directed by the Council to convey any specific direction to the Manager. Mayor Osterholt said he felt he was acting on behalf of the majority of the Council based on private discussions with indi-�- vidual Council members. Mr. McCulloch said we were talking about a $30,000 man in an administra- tive position. The Manager was not a beginner and he has years of experience in management positions. The Manager should not be left cliff-hanging with a four to six month review as the letter draft suggests and the Council should decide one way or the other on July 23rd. Mrs. Pauly expressed a lack of confidence that the Manager could or would want to comply with the letter contents and suggested that the Mayor relate the substance of his last meeting with the Manager. Mayor Osterholt recapped the meeting with the ,Manager on Tuesday, July 9. ` He felt he had made a sincere attempt in offering a solution to the problem but had felt rebuffed by the Manager. Mr. McCulloch and Mayor Osterholt felt the manager would look upon the contents of the letter as restrictive. Mrs. Meyers felt this was just the sort of specific direction the Manager has been requesting and has confi- dence he would comply and will do a good job for the City. As Mr. McCulloch MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 10, 1974 Pay e 3 pointed out, as responsible policy decision—makers, Mrs. Meyers felt the letter was an appropriate means of action. Mr. Penzel questioned how individual Council members might react if they were under similar circumstances and what they might deem as fair and reasonable treatment. Discussion continued with members expressing various opinions on the propriety of possible alternative actions . At the sad news of the death of Mr. McCulloch's father, Mr. Penzel moved, Mrs. Meyers seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:3 0 p.m. Motion carried- unanimously. a