451 S. Cloverdale Boulevard
Cloverdale, CA 95425
www.cloverdale.net
MINUTES - FINAL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND JOINT MEETING OF THE CLOVERDALE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
9:00 a.m.
A. OPENING PUBLIC SESSION:
Call to Order: Mayor Lands called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Lands led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present - Mayor Lands, Vice Mayor Wolter and Councilmembers: Bagby, Palla Absent - Councilmember Cruz
Conflict of Interest Declaration: None.
Agenda Review: None.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
C. COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
D. COUNCIL WORKSHOP:
D.1 Discussion Regarding Best Practices for Local Governance, Goals, and Council Relations and Communications
City Manager Kelley, Mayor Lands, and City Attorney Sanchez introduced the item.
Jennifer Shaw, Shaw Law Group, provided a verbal report on her findings regarding Council relationships. The Council discussed concerns related to gender and racial bias on the Council. The Council discussed the findings on the concerns. Jennifer concluded that no concern related to gender or racial bias was substantiated. However, indicated that Council relations and communications needed improvement.
Jennifer discussed her review of recorded Council meetings and noted her observation that at various times the Council does not observe appropriate decorum. Jennifer reviewed recorded video footage from Council meetings located on the City’s website with the Council and provided her perspective that Council work with Talia Eisen, Praxis Human Systems Organization Development Consultant, on implementing best practices to improve communication amongst Councilmembers.
Talia presented, responded to inquiries, and facilitated communication amongst Councilmembers. Talia discussed work agreements that would enable the Council to improve communication including speaking from your own perspective, all views welcome, listen fully, no interrupting, no overtalking, stay curious, open minded and be ready to learn.
Mayor Lands recessed the meeting at 10:03 a.m. and reconvened at 10:09 a.m.
Talia continued the workshop with Councilmembers and Staff. During the facilitated conversation, Talia idented parking lot issues that could be addressed at a future planning session including addressing social media, supporting decisions approved by the Council and addressing conflicts.
Council discussed the possibility of meeting again to continue its efforts to improve Council relations and discuss goals for the City. The Council decided to continue to move forward with these efforts in its ultimate goal of providing better service to the residents of Cloverdale. Talia recommended conducting additional planning sessions with the Council with the goal of establishing an annual retreat process. Proposed next steps included:
1. Review of the Governance Manual to discuss Council governance procedures and etiquette guidelines;
2. Setting a date for a follow up planning session with the City Council that builds on the previous planning session; and
3. Agree on process and building a foundation for future annual retreat processes and outline of topics to be covered.
Mayor Lands recessed the meeting at 11:37 a.m. and reconvened at 11:42 a.m.
Talia Eisen continued the workshop with Councilmembers and Staff.
E. ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Lands adjourned the meeting at 12:19 p.m.
Approved On: July 27, 2022
________________________
Mike Maloney
City Clerk