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Attributes of Exceptional Councils <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 4 <br />but they also use the meeting to demonstrate respect and <br />civility for each other, staff and the public. Exceptional <br />councilmembers prepare in advance of the meeting, remain <br />focused on the city goals and objectives and mindful of their <br />role and responsibilities. <br /> <br /> <br />BEST PRACTICE TIPS <br /> <br />Develop and adopt (with regular reviews and updates), guidelines for conducting meetings and <br />making decisions. These governance protocols typically address meeting procedures (agenda <br />preparation, how to put issues on the agenda, debate and voting procedure s (parliamentary rules) <br />and standards of decorum (civility)). As part of a regular self-assessment, councils should evaluate <br />their meetings and their effectiveness and adjust behavior and practices for better results . <br /> <br /> <br />5. Exceptional councils hold themselves <br />and the city accountable <br /> <br />Exceptional councils operate openly, ethically and work to <br />engage the community in a myriad of decisions impacting <br />the prosperity and well-being of their community. Toward <br />that end, exceptional councils consistently provide short- <br />and long-term strategic direction and goals, as well as <br />provide budget, program and policy oversight. <br /> <br />Exceptional councils hold themselves accountable for the <br />conduct, behavior and effectiveness of the council. They <br />establish clear priorities and goals and hold the city <br />manager accountable for results. And finally, they embrace <br />accountability as a process and tool to calibrate ongoing <br />efforts to address and meet policy and program objectives. <br /> <br />KEY CHARACTERISTICS <br /> <br /> Councilmembers operate ethically and <br />with integrity. <br /> Councils conduct team building / goal <br />setting exercise to track progress <br />towards mutually agreed upon goals <br /> Councils taking responsibility for the <br />results (good and bad). <br /> Councils celebrate success. <br /> Councilmembers hold themselves <br />responsible for adhering to operating <br />protocols and codes of conduct. <br /> <br /> <br />BEST PRACTICE TIPS <br /> <br />Annually evaluate council and city manager performance toward achieving the city’s priorities and <br />goals (consider having this be part of an annual goal setting meeting). Council should consider <br />assessing its own behavior and effectiveness as part of its annual self -assessment. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />4.A. - Page 4 of 21 <br />6