Who Did It?

The Council/Manager relationship has change over the years and managers are advising their councils on complex value laden issues. The City Manager becomes associated with values that divide communities. City Manager’s are expected to submit policy proposals to elected officials. They should provide them with facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and setting community goals; and uphold and implement local government policies adopted by elected officials.
The City Manager also recognizes that elected representatives of the people are entitled to the credit for the establishment of local government policies and that the responsibility for policy execution rests with the manager. The Council has trouble with the line between policy and implementation and the manager doesn’t have any problem delving into policy.
As for recognition, the Council President should speak for the Council. This should occur after a policy issue has been resolved by the Council. Council members do themselves a big favor by having one voice after something passes. The Council President speaking for the Council does not gag staff. I believe that staff has an obligation to talk to the press about the issues that we make recommendations regarding. Staff should take care to only represent ourselves and not the Council. I have often been asked by reporters why the Council voted the way they did and I’ve told reporters to discuss the issue with the appropriate council member. The reporter generally indicates that I was the only person that they could get before the press deadline and I have responded with what I thought occurred. I also don’t get to write the article or interpret it for everyone who reads the article. Again, the offended will try hard to be offended.
The Council President should also be signing the poppy resolution, having their picture taken at the Welcome sign and so on. The past Council President did not have time to participate in these activities and they fell to me. I was very happy to have the new Council President step up and perform the duties.