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- 6 - <br /> <br />• Don't fall into the trap of feeling you are VERY special: <br /> <br />While being elected to a city council is an honor bestowed upon you by the voters, <br />keep that "honor" in perspective. Citizens view electing you as showing trust in <br />your judgment in representing their interests in community decision-making. <br />They did not elect you because they felt you were personally deserving of special <br />rights and privileges. Don't expect the city manager or staff to be able to assist you <br />in ways outside your formal role on the city council. By and large, they will be <br />required to treat you just the same as any other citizen on matters outside the <br />realm of your official duties. Any compensation and "perks" of office should be <br />visible and public. <br /> <br />• Professional city managers will not "play favorites": <br /> <br />Professional city managers will strive to have a positive working relationship with <br />all the members of the city council regardless of personality, philosophy or <br />positions on specific issues. They will also not let personal likes or dislikes affect <br />how he or she interacts with councilmembers, and you should not expect the <br />manager to act otherwise. <br /> <br />• It is critical to city managers to have clear policy direction: <br /> <br />The city manager and the city organization cannot carry out the policy direction of <br />the city council if that direction is not clearly established. The clearer the direction, <br />the more effectively the manager and staff can implement. Even when the council <br />is split on an issue, the majority's will needs to be clearly stated. The manager <br />should seek clarification from the city council when necessary. <br /> <br />• Be sensitive to the need for city managers to sometimes tell you "what you don't <br />want to hear": <br /> <br />One of the least favorite tasks for a city manager is to tell an individual council- <br />member or the council as a whole something they don't want to hear. This could <br />range from a mistake the organization has made to informing a councilmember <br />that something they want done (or want to do) cannot be done or is not <br />appropriate. While city managers try to be as flexible as possible in meeting the <br />needs of the city council, you will not be well served by a manager who will not <br />tell you when something is not appropriate or cannot be achieved simply to avoid <br />appearing uncooperative. While the manager needs to be clear why the request <br />cannot be fulfilled, it is very helpful for you to understand that the manager has a <br />professional obligation to give you advice contrary to what you would like to hear <br />when he/she is so required. <br />4.A. - Page 14 of 21 <br />16