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. . I . . "'" 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - A. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Second reading of an Ordinance proposing to change the ITequency of Council meetings per month and the starting time of Council meetings. (205) Affidavit of Notice of Publication on file in the City Clerk Department. 1. Council comments; Mayor Howard said this item was a continuation of the discussion that began at the Council workshop in January. Council Member Ira presented the background that led to this discussion. He said, "Contrary to some of the things that have been said, this is not a move to try to spend less time with (the public) on Monday nights.... What happened was, I approached Ed and asked... How much time do you spend prepping for a Council meeting? He said 'anywhere between 16 and 20 hours a week.' Then I went to some of the department heads we see every week, mainly Deborah (Nelson), Joel (Patterson)... Mike Church and Peter Ingram, and they all said they pretty much spend about the same amount of time prepping for a Council meeting. At that point I thought maybe we should contemplate, is there any way we can make our meetings more efficient, and possibly cut back on a Council meeting to generate - that free time. When I talked to the staff about it they were pretty excited about the prospect of having 16 hours a month to spend on other matters. Council Member Ira said he discussed it with Mayor Howard and she recommended discussing it at the Council workshop in January. He said, "I asked the staff what would you do with that extra 16 hours each month... Peter Ingram said, 'If I had 16 more hours each month I would have more time for planning and strategic thinking. I would try to attend an additional neighborhood or community meeting. I would be able to spend more time following up on complaints and citizens' inquiries. I could provide more staff support time to other Council and community activities. I would spend more time on quality control, staff reports and presentations. I would expect the Department to be more focused and efficient in getting Council business done. Fewer meetings would require better planning and execution. This can be done (emphasized.)' Deborah Nelson..."To reduce the number of overtirne and comp hours for staff, other than myself and the management team.' That would be a tremendous dollar savings there. 'To ITee up administrative support time at least during one week a month in preparation of the package, we could address long term projects, such as microfilming, brochures for our customers, creation of internal forms and procedures, etc. To spend more time planning for and working with the City Council in the study session format to address public policy issues that need time for discussion. To make a more - productive work week for some staff that may attend several meetings by having REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 MARCH 2,1998 MINUTES Page No. 299 PAGE 5