12/16/2014 - Special Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 16, 2014
City of Clearwater
City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
10:00 AM
Re Council Effectiveness Workshop
City Hall - Room 222
Council Work Session
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 16, 2014
Roll Call
Present 4 - Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Doreen Hock-DiPolito (Arrived at
10:27 a.m.),Councilmember Hoyt Hamilton, Councilmember Bill Jonson,
and Councilmember Polglaze
Also Present: William B. Horne 11 - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin, Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, and Rosemarie Call - City Clerk
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.
2. Council Discussion Item
2.1 Welcome and Introductions — Marilyn Crotty, Florida Institute of Government at UCF
Individuals in attendance introduced themselves and provided brief overview of
their experience with Clearwater.
2.2 Highly Effective City Councils
AND
2.3 Communication Skills
Two-way communication
Levels of Listening
Non-verbal communication
Ms. Crotty provided a PowerPoint presentation on communication skills and
styles.
Discussion ensued regarding qualities of highly effective councils. It was stated
that effective councils are good listeners, ethical, decisive leaders, policy
driven, forward thinking, and respectful.
2.4 Lunch
Council recessed from 12:07 p.m. to 12:25 p.m. for lunch.
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City of Clearwater
Council Work Session Meeting Minutes December 16, 2014
Discussion ensued regarding communications skills.
Ms. Crotty said if it is not clear to staff what council consensus is, it is staffs
responsibility to ask for clarification. A highly effective council meets annually to
the set the policy and direction for staff, with regular reports scheduled to
discuss how the annual priorities are going.
In response to a question, Ms. Crotty said work sessions should allow informal
discussions among councilmembers. Robert's Rules of Order were written for
large groups and require a motion on the floor prior to discussion. Less formal
dialogue allows councilmembers to voice their opinion and ask questions.
Discussions at work sessions should be balanced, recognizing when to stop if
the conversation is going nowhere.
2.5 Decision Making Styles
Improving Performance
Ms. Crotty provided a PowerPoint presentation on decision-making styles.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:03 p.m.
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City of Clearwater