0-Council Memo (02-26-2025)
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Adam Flaherty, City Administrator
DATE: February 26, 2025
SUBJECT: City Council Orientation
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The purpose of this meeting is to serve as an orientation opportunity for the City Council. For 2025, there are two new
members, which is a great time to both onboard the new members and for the group to review and discuss components
of your roles as elected officials.
I have developed an outline of possible discussion topics below; however, the most important aspect of this meeting is
for the City Council to communicate with one another, develop standards and expectations, set goals and priorities, and
to form a plan for success.
Introduction
This is an opportunity for the Council to get to know each other better. Each member could share information about
themselves, their family, and why they were interested in public office.
Insights Discovery Profile
The City implemented Insights Discovery Personal Profiles throughout the organization as a way to understand the
impacts that different personalities have on self, leadership, team, and outcomes.
This will be an opportunity to review where each member falls on the wheel and generate discussion on the similarities
or differences between the Council. City staff is not trained in facilitation of the profiles, and the Council could use this
time to discuss their desire for a facilitated session that could include more in-depth discussion, group exercises, and
team building based around the profiles.
High Performing Team
During the 2021 City Council Onboarding, the Council, through a facilitated discussion, developed a shared set of
standards for a high performing elected body.
This will be an opportunity to review and discuss this set of standards, and more importantly, determine what standards
this Council would like to continue with or move on from. The Council could also determine their desire for a facilitated
session to develop a revised set of standards.
City Council Rules and Procedures
City staff have developed a document to establish the roles, responsibilities, and procedures for the conduct of business
by the City Council. Upon review of a similar policy from another city, staff presented the concept at an Administrative
Subcommittee meeting in January 2025. Staff received direction to proceed with a draft document catered to the City of
Otsego, which was reviewed by the Administrative Subcommittee in February 2025. The version of the document
included in this packet has received an initial review by the City Attorney and includes any changes from previous staff
and subcommittee reviews.
The draft document will be presented to the City Council for review and discussion. Approval of this document is not
being requested at this meeting; however, staff would seek direction on how to proceed with this document.
City Council Compensation
City Code Title 1, Chapter 7, Section 1 outlines compensation for the Mayor and City Council. At a previous City Council
meeting, the City Council requested an opportunity to review and discuss compensation to develop a consensus for
future compensation submissions. Applicable City Code language is included within this packet.
This will be a discussion item only. If the City Council were to agree to modify the language within the City Code, that
would need to be approved via ordinance at a future meeting.
Strategic Planning
The City Council has invested in the development of a Strategic Plan, initially in 2018, with the most current plan
developed in 2022. Within the 2025 budget adopted by the City Council, funding was included to renew the
commitment of strategic planning. While previous updates were conducted in even years, there was a conscious
decision to shift that into odd years. This allows for the current City Council an opportunity to develop goals and
initiatives for the next two years, aligning with their elected terms. Staff will seek discussion with the City Council on
what this process should look like for this year, which will aid in securing the ideal facilitation service.
Council Roundtable
This is an opportunity for open Council discussion or questions about City services, programs, finances, priorities, or
expectations for 2025 and beyond.
Next Steps
Staff would be seeking direction from the Council on what, if any, additional training opportunities, facilitated
discussions or special meetings that should be scheduled.