“I agree; the weekly report summarizes,” issues, but “getting up to the microphone would make the public aware,” said Vice Mayor Ray Luna.“I take the opposite view,” Mayor Don Johnson noted, as such reports could be a “burden on the staff member to prepare another report. . .they don’t have time now,” to keep up with city business. To present a report as an option is fine, he added, but requiring same is a concern.Procter said he just wanted verbal comments, “Not a written report. . .just to give the public and opportunity to hear of the good things going on.”Cook said he would support reports as long they were not required and agendized, but Espinosa noted that a component of a report last year offered suggestions and options for bettering council and employee relationships, set goals to try to “highlight employees” and allowed for public recognition. “It should be open to all city employees, not just department heads,” to provide the opportunity to hear positives, she said.Johnson suggested that such an opportunity could be listed under the City Communications portion of the agenda.Acting City Manager Norm Wilkinson said he would explore the best way to implement the idea.
City Council exploring idea for more staff input on department activities
March 05, 2001
Santa Paula News
Whether or not to have employees make regular generalized department reports to the City Council was a matter of discussion at the Feb. 20 meetin
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWhether or not to have employees make regular generalized department reports to the City Council was a matter of discussion at the Feb. 20 meeting.Councilman John Procter said he had been thinking that it might be a “good idea to have department heads make regular reports to the council. . .they don’t often get a chance to toot their own horn, they don’t usually speak unless spoken too. . .”Council Rick Cook asked if Procter wanted something along the lines of the written weekly staff report verbalized, but Procter said he was interested in having a regular rotation of updates on the “state of their departments.”Support for the plan came from Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa, especially in cases of special projects or accomplishments. “Weekly reports inform the council,” but Procter’s idea would be a way to inform the community.
