PRESENTATION
6/30/25
City of VictorvilleCity Council Governance WorkshopJuly 16, 2025City Hall9 am to 12 pm 1 Welcome from Mayor Elizabeth Becerra
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Public Comments
3 Opening Comments from City Manager Keith Metzler
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What Members of Council Hope for Today
§Furthering our unified structure of staff and Council and clarifying roles and goals §Clarifying communication protocols with City staff 5 Objectives for Today
•Review and affirm Council’s governance norms and protocols •Identify ways the Council can further the City’s vision•Input on Council training opportunities•Strengthen teamwork6 6 6/30/25
Agenda§Review guidelines for today’s discussions§Icebreaker§Review best practices in governance§Identify ways the Council can advance the City’s vision§Review Council norms§Discuss future training opportunities for Council§Wrap up 7 7
Suggested Guidelines for Today
Listen to understand each other’s points of view
1Learn something new
2Assume the best in each other
3Avoid distractions
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Bike RackThings to discuss at another time will be tracked separatelyTime management tool 9 Icebreaker
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11 Effective Governance11
Serving the Community Requires Both12
The "What": Goals and PrioritiesStrategic PlanThe "How": Teamwork, Norms, Roles and Protocols 12 6/30/25
Mayor and Council Comments About Attributes of an Effective Council – Staff Team Integrity
Honor
Professionalism
City Manager availability to field questions
Ability to have conversations with City Manager staff and Deputy Managers Understanding that all Councilmembers are equal
13 Best Practices: Attributes of An Effective Council TrustDo what we say we will do – be trustworthy Assume good intent Authentic dialogueMove from campaigning to governing
RespectTreat others as you would wish them to treat youMaintain respectful relationships in and out of Council meetingsRespect roles and responsibilities.Follow norms, protocols, and policies CollaborationFind common groundEngage in mutual problem solvingBe prepared for meetingsView staff as partnersFollow strategic plan UnderstandingValue the differences that each person bringsKnow good government systems and services Conduct efficient and effective meetingsHold ourselves accountableDrawn from Institute for Local Government and Other Best Practices14 6/30/25
15 Discussion
15 Why is an effective City Council/staff team important? Recruitment and RetentionAchieving Results
Strategic DirectionEconomic DevelopmentRegional Influence 16 16
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Having Clear Roles Support Effective Governance
MayorChairs meetings, spokesperson
CouncilSets policy, appoints City Manager, City Attorney City ManagerAppoints, supervises staff; directs the organization City AttorneyProvides advice to Council and staff; handles all legal matters 17 Councils Serve Six RolesStrategic Vision (ex. big picture thinker, goal setting, connecting with legislators)Constituent Advocate (ex. communicating with residents, connecting people with staff)Trustee - Steward (ex. budgeting)Community Builder (ex. bringing people together, connecting groups)Decision Maker (ex. voting on tough issues)Oversight (ex. annual audit, city manager evaluation) 18 6/30/25
Strategic Vision Role of CouncilHow can the Council further the City’s vision? Vision in the Strategic Plan: To conduct itself as the leaders of the High Desert region in providing a balanced quality of life for its residents through job creation and community development. 19 Constituent Advocate Role of Council
Staff Resolves Constituent Issues Through Operations
Discussion: •What process is used now?•Are there other ways that the Council would like to convey, or have staff convey, that the complaint or issue has been received and is being followed up on? 20 6/30/25
21 StretchBreak
21 Discuss City of Victorville’s Council’s Norms
Adopted May 16, 2023
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Adopted Council Norms1.We conduct ourselves in a professional manner during meetings and beyond.2.We respect open government in word and deed.3.We expect civil, intelligent public discourse.4.We are efficient in our meetings.5.We treat all members of the public with respect.6.We contribute to a positive workplace environment.7.We yield ourselves to the Council- Manager form of government, and Councilmembers do not interfere with the role of the City Manager or any professional duties of City staff.
8.We keep confidential matters confidential.9.We foster a good working between Councilmembers and staff to promote good goal setting, policy making and service delivery.10.We understand that the Council acts as a body, all members are equal, and policy direction is only given by a vote of the Council.11.We support staff’s obligation to implement decisions made by the Council, even if one of us doesn’t agree with the Council’s decision.12.We are prepared for Council meetings and ask our questions of staff in advance so we can avoid surprising staff at the meetings. We know this is good teamwork.13.We act with high integrity in all matters and comply with our code of ethics. 23 Councilmembers Responses to Survey
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Norms Highlighted for Discussion1.We conduct ourselves in a professional manner during meetings and beyond.2.We respect open government in word and deed.3.We expect civil, intelligent public discourse.4.We are efficient in our meetings.5.We treat all members of the public with respect.6.We contribute to a positive workplace environment.7.We yield ourselves to the Council- Manager form of government, and Councilmembers do not interfere with the role of the City Manager or any professional duties of City staff.
8.We keep confidential matters confidential.9.We foster a good working between Councilmembers and staff to promote good goal setting, policy making and service delivery.10.We understand that the Council acts as a body, all members are equal, and policy direction is only given by a vote of the Council.11.We support staff’s obligation to implement decisions made by the Council, even if one of us doesn’t agree with the Council’s decision.12.We are prepared for Council meetings and ask our questions of staff in advance so we can avoid surprising staff at the meetings. We know this is good teamwork.13.We act with high integrity in all matters and comply with our code of ethics.
These are the “we should discuss” and where there are 3 people saying “we could do better”25 Reaffirm Norms or Make Ajustments
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Effective Council-City Manager TeamworkMakes for Good Policy and Solid Organizations 27 •Respect the policy role of the Council and operational role of staff, working through the City Manager•Be sensitive to the need to pace the organization•Practice the “no surprise” rule•Refrain from directing staff - even informally•Do not criticize staff in public – if Councilmembers have concerns, bring them to City Manager privately •Carry out the role as chief executive – provide leadership to City staff and ensure accountability•Be direct with Council•Practice the “no surprise” rule•Communicate equally with all members of Council•Provide clear analysis and recommendations to Council•Work to help Council see the “big picture” including impacts of policy positions City CouncilCity Manager
27 Accountability for Good Governance
Everyone contributes equally to maintaining standards, meeting goals, and upholding shared valuesRelies on mutual respect, trust, and a shared understanding of expectations within the group •What constitutes accountability to our norms?•If a colleague has a concern about you, how would you like that colleague to approach you about it? 28 6/30/25
Training Opportunities for Council
•Rosenberg’s Rules of Order (suggested in survey)•Annual CalCities Conference and Expo – October 8 – 10, 2025, Long Beach•CalCities Regional Division meetings•Mayors and Council Members Academy, January 21 – 23, 2026, Sacramento•Institute for Local Government webinars•National League of Cities – City Summit Conference, November 20-22, 2025, Salt Lake City•National League of Cities – Congressional City Conference, March 14-18, 2026, Washington, D.C. 29 Wrap Up and Closing Comments
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Thank You!
31 Jan Perkins [email protected] Wright-Black [email protected] “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb 31 Additional Documents
CITY OF VICTORVILLE
City Council Governance Workshop – July 16, 2025 – Worksheet
City of Victorville
CITY COUNCIL GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP
JULY 16, 2025
What do you hope this governing body will be known for?
Strategic Vision Role of Council: How can the Council further the City’s vision?
CITY VISION: TO CONDUCT ITSELF AS THE LEADERS OF THE HIGH DESERT
REGION IN PROVIDING A BALANCED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ITS RESIDENTS THROUGH JOB CREATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
CITY OF VICTORVILLE
City Council Governance Workshop – July 16, 2025 – Worksheet City Council Norms
Discussion
Facilitators: Jan Perkins and Serena Wright-Black
[email protected]