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