AGENDA TITLE:
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Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Staff Involvement and City Resources Used at Individual Councilmember Sponsored Town Hall Meetings (CM)
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MEETING DATE:
February 21, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Andrew Keys, Interim City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Staff Involvement and City Resources Used at Individual Councilmember Sponsored Town Hall Meetings.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On January 19, 2022, the City Council directed staff to not hold monthly town halls for individual Council members. (See the attached January 19, 2022, Council Communication for Agenda Item H-03 and the relevant January 19, 2022, City Council Meeting Minutes for Agenda Item H-3) At the time, some Councilmembers opposing monthly town hall meetings suggested they were either not cost effective or placed additional or unrealistic burdens on limited staffing resources. Councilmembers suggested attending Committee meetings as an alternative for those wishing to be more involved, as opposed to creating an additional standing town hall meeting. Others suggested it was a good use for staff to provide information at town halls for specific hot button topics, but not at regular monthly meetings.
Within the past two years, Mayor Craig has individually hosted town hall meetings to connect with residents on a variety of issues. These were not City sponsored meetings, not held on City property, nor did the initial meetings include City staff.
For the past few months, the Mayor's town hall meeting topics have expanded and have provided an outlet where specific City projects and actions can be shared with the public. At the Mayor's request, the Interim City Manager authorized limited number of City staff to attend and provide information at these meetings on Lodi Lake Nature Area security measures, fire mitigation efforts and the Balancing Act program. The most recent meetings and attendance has been strong with ...
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