City Council

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL CITY OF DEKALB September 7, 2013 The City Council of DeKalb, Illinois held a special meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2013, in the University Suites at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois. Notice was given and the meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 2.05 of the Municipal Code of the City of DeKalb, Illinois. Mayor Rey called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. ROLL CALL City Clerk Liz Peerboom called the roll and the following Council Members were present: Mayor John Rey, Ald. Dave Jacobson, Ald. Bill Finucane, Ald. Kristen Lash, Ald. Bob Snow, Ald. Ron Naylor, Ald. Dave Baker, and Ald. Monica O’Leary. Also present were: Interim City Manager Rudy Espiritu, Deputy Police Chief Wes Hoadley, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Public Works Director T.J. Moore, Craig Rapp – Senior Associate, Center for Governmental Studies-NIU and City Clerk Liz Peerboom. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS MOTION Ald. Finucane moved to approve the Agenda; seconded by Ald. Snow. Motion carried on voice vote. Mayor Rey declared the motion passed. CONSIDERATIONS Presentation on Effective Governance Mayor Rey advised the Council of the need to update the strategic plan for the City of DeKalb and this is an intentional step toward that goal. Craig Rapp, Senior Associate, Center for Governmental Studies-NIU, gave a presentation on Effective Governance. Mr. Rapp described his tie to the Better Government Associate, and said that he respects the thoroughness each Council and staff member brings to his or her role. Mr. Rapp went over his background and then broke the attendees into groups to get to know each other and then introduce each other. Special Meeting September 7, 2013 Page 2 of 2 Mr. Rapp’s presentation included discussion about agendas in the workplace, roles and responsibilities, legal roles, ad hoc roles, and imaginary roles, Clerk role, City Manager role, Department Head/staff role, and maintaining the proper roles. He also discussed different ways to get information to the Council before the meetings. He went over the Governance Process, the Carver Model, Ends, and Executive Limitations before taking a ten minute break. Mr. Rapp continued discussing the different roles in government. He also discussed the Council/Staff communication process. He stated that the Council creates its own process to ensure that it fulfills three primary responsibilities: 1) Maintain linkage to citizens/community 2) Establishing the definition of effective governance 3) Assuring executive performance Mr. Rapp suggested off-site (off-camera) meetings to discuss the governance process. Mayor Rey stated that diversity leadership is important in government and thanked Mr. Rapp for his presentation. Mayor Rey also thanked Council and Staff for attending. Mayor Rey advised that they will begin working on the strategic plan after the first of the year. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Jacobson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. O’Leary. Motion carried by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. _______________________________________ ELIZABETH E. PEERBOOM, City Clerk Approved by City Council January 13, 2014