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by a buzzer. She posited that one might°have more to say in the second or third round than the first. <br /> Ms. Solomon said she had come to appreciate having time limits. She disagreed that staff participated in <br /> discussions or rebutted the council. She stressed that staff members were the experts called upon to <br /> ensure the council received correct information. She commented that staff presentations had dramatically <br /> improved since the Council Goals session at which they had been asked to utilize power point presenta- <br /> tions more and talk less. <br /> Mr. Kelly observed that the "vibe" of the process session felt more like dialogue than posturing. He said <br /> he was "jazzed about that." <br /> Mr. Kelly suggested experimenting with the timer and using it but without the buzzer. He thought it <br /> would provide good feedback for councilors. <br /> Regarding staff, Mr. Kelly agreed presentations had improved. He said there were some staff members <br /> that were better at answering questions succinctly than others. <br /> City Manager Taylor asked if these comments pertained more to work sessions than regular sessions. Mr. <br /> Kelly replied that he was referring to work sessions. City Manager Taylor said he would convey these <br /> comments to the executive managers. <br /> Ms. Hayes suggested the meeting move on. She observed that the councilors supported trying a meeting <br /> without the buzzer. <br /> Mr. Pryor remarked that he liked staff participation. He averred that it helped to fill in all the pieces and <br /> facilitated the council's ability to make informed decisions., He said when all was said and done, only the <br /> councilors held the right to vote. <br /> Ms. Hayes surmised from the conversation that concerns regarding staff presentations were being <br /> addressed and had gotten somewhat better. <br /> Mr. Poling underscored that staff members come into a meeting having done the work on an issue. He felt <br /> sometimes staff might need to remind the council as to what direction the council was headed in. He <br /> commented that some staff members had been dressed down in the public eye and this had hampered their <br /> ability provide their best professional input. <br /> Mr. Pape also appreciated the timer being there. He advocated for using the microphone with self- <br /> discipline and courtesy for everyone.else there. <br /> Ms. Rose indicated it would not be a problem to disconnect the buzzer for a meeting. <br /> Ms. Bettman thought it might make more sense if councilors had a monthly cumulative time allotment. <br /> She said some issues required more deliberation. She commented that she would hold back off on an <br /> issue that was less important to her and speak at greater length to an important issue. She called the time <br /> limits "artificial constraints." <br /> Speaking to the issue of staff, Ms. Bettman opined it had more to do with staff"ideology and agenda." <br /> She opined staff members advocated for particular issues and discriminated against people who did not <br /> agree with them. She pointed out that staff people had an entire agenda item summary (AIS) and an <br /> .uninterrupted presentation to "make their case." <br /> MINUTES-Eugene City Council February 8, 2005 Page 5 <br /> Process Session <br /> <br /> _ <br /> <br />