8. HANDOUT 02-16-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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suxe you have some management system that of~.cers, employees, and the public u~.derstand. Z~. Don't let others bypass the system, insist that people such as equipment or service suppliers work with your city staff. ~f direct contact with governing body members is necessary, it should be with the governing body as a whole, or a committee, and not on a one~on~one basis. 27. Don't pass the buck to the staff or employees when they are only following your policies or decisions. ~8. Don't always take no for an answer, The right question maybe "How can we do this?" instead of "May we do this?" ~e positives 29, Learn to evaluate recommendations and alterative courses of action. Request that your staff provide options, Encourage imaginative solutions. 30, Avoid taking short-term gains at the expense of longterm losses. ~e concerned with the longterm future of the city. 31. In determining the public interest, balance personal rights and property interests, the possible harm to a few versus the good of the many, Recognize that in some situations, everyone can't be a winner. 3~, Remember that cities are for peopled ~e concerned with the total development physical, economic, and social - of your community, 3 3. Don't act as if the city operates in a vacuum. pities must work within the intergovernmental system to be effective. ~.eep in contact and Cooperate with your federal, state, county, and school officials. 34. Know your neighbors. het to know the officials of neighboring and similar size cities. 'visit other cities, particularly those with a reputation of being well run. 3~. Learn to listen ~ really listen ~ to your fellow governing body members and the public. Hear what they are trying to say, not~ust the words spoken. 3 ~, deep your constituents informed, and encourage citizen participation, 37. ~e friendly and deal effectively with the news media, Make sure what you say is what you mean. Lack of good communication, with the media and the public, can be a maj ar problem for municipal officials. 3 ~. Remember that what you say, privately and publicly, will open be news. You live in a glass house. Avoid over-publicizing minor problems, 3 ~. Expect, and respect, citizen complaints. Make sure that your governing body members and your city, have a way to deal effectively with them. Have a followp up system. ~o, Be careful about rumors. Check them out. Help squelch them when you know they are false, 4l, Appoint citizen advisory committees and task forces when you need them, but be prepared to follow their advice if you use then. ~2. Take care in your appointments to boards and commissions. Make sure they are willing and capable as well as representative of the whole community. 15