Should've Been Better - Will Be Better

Last night was one of those nights of Council where we could've done a better job. During April we deferred some items as we wrestled with the budget resulting in a packed agenda. I realized at the end of the evening that we seemed more focus on getting through the agenda then anything else.

I am sorry.

As part of our in-camera agenda was a lot of time spent on, what I call the "Council Decision Making Process." Here we discussed:

• The structure and development of our agenda,
• Should we separate questions of Admin from the decision conversation is an example;
• Council Package Format,
• There are weekends we have 700 pages of reading to do;
• Council Chambers Set-Up,
• Right now if you watch Council on the internet viewers see Admin rather than Council yet if you are in the Chamber it is obvious Council is talking with one another; and
• Roles on Council,
• Should one Councillor be designated as "Devil Advocate" to challenge the ideas discussed?
• Council/CAO Relationship,
• We will be having 4 meetings per year to discuss our ongoing relationship with the CAO to ensure the effectiveness of our work together. 

These are some of the changes we are making and many of them come out of our time with George Cuff during the beginning of April.