5.1. SR 08-02-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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gathering all pertinent facts. The request will be referred to the commission in writing by the Mayor and will include a specific time period to complete the study. The Council would request a written report from each commission with regard to each such referral. The report should set forth all the pertinent facts and detailed recommendations from the commission. The report should be submitted to the City Clerk the Wednesday before the Council meeting so that it may be included on the agenda. Any time a commission report comes before the Council, one representative of the commission should be present to make a presentation and answer questions. In the event there is a difference of opinion on the commission, a minority report written by the commission may be presented in the same manner. Commission Requests to Council. Any commission request or recommendation for Council action should be communicated by letter from the Chair to the Mayor, giving a full explanation of the background of the matter. Along with the letter, the commission should submit or refer to the pertinent portion of its minutes on the subject. The letter to the Mayor should be delivered to the City Clerk on the Wednesday before the Council meeting. A presentation for commission should be made by a representative from the commission. A minority report may also be presented. Communications With Those Other Than the City Council. The Council believes that there is some potential for misunderstanding regarding communications with persons and governmental units or agencies other than the City Council of Elk River. In order to prevent a misunderstanding, it is essential that members of commissions understand and observe appropriate pohcies and practices in this regard. The Council alone has the responsibility and authority to adopt the decisions, policies, and recommendations of the City of Elk River. The Council values the opinions and advice of its commissions and invites the communication of the same to the Council. The Council will take such opinions and advice into account in formulating the City's official position. Any such communication, which purports to, or has the effect of communicating an official City position or decision, should be submitted to the Council for prior approval. Other types of communications, which are purely informational and do not involve unresolved questions of City policy, may be disseminated without prior Council approval. This method of proceeding does not preclude a commission from gathering such information as may be pertinent to its activities. Commissions are free, without prior Council approval, to make inquiries and to give necessary background for such inquiries, but careful consideration must be given that these communications cannot be reasonably construed as statements of official City policy and opinion.