HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoles & Best Practices Council - Pt Arthur (Nov 30 2023)
Roles & Best Practices for Council Members
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
City of Port Arthur
Alan Bojorquez
Municipal Attorney based in Austin, TX
Manage statewide Municipal Law firm (since 2002)
Texas Tech University:
JD, MPA, BA
Former Staff Lawyer, Texas Municipal League
Past-President, Texas City Attorney Assn
Board Member, International Municipal Lawyers Assn
Honorary Member, International City Mgt Assn
Honorary Member, Texas Muni Clerk Assn
Ambassador Award, Texas Tech Univ School of Law
Author, Tex Muni Law & Proc Manual (7th Ed.)
City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
November 30, 2023
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(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
City of Port Arthur
Who Are The Players?
City Officials (elected, staff, volunteers, contractors)
Citizens (residents, owners, tourists, businesses)
Applicants / Vendors (seeking approvals, contracts)
Special Interest Groups
Regulators (state, federal, local)
Media (traditional & citizen journalists)
Utilities / Local Governments / Districts
Neighboring Communities (region)
Judiciary (municipal, state, federal)
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
What’s Your Official Position?
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Member
Staff
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Role Clarification
Legislator
Representative
Executive
Administrator
Advisor / Counselor / Consultant
Advocate
Commentator
Subject Expert
Information Gather
Observer
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Tribal
Council
Circle
City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Council: What’s Your Function?
Tasks: Anticipate Outcomes, Deliverables
Problem Identification: Goal-setting
Problem-Solving: Visioning
Listening: Intake
Legislative: Policy Formation
Appellant: Appeals, Exceptions
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Staff: What’s Your Function?
Issue Spotting: Identify Opportunities / Vulnerability
Intake: Listening to Community / Taking Input for Council
Resource: Provide Expertise & Data to Council
Preparation: Behind the Scenes work for Council
Support: Help Council function
Execution: Put Council’s decisions into motion
Administrative: Implementation / Processing
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Mayor: Best Practices
Focuses on process (not outcome)
Remembers meetings are for council members
Maintains a civil & respectful atmosphere
Proceeds in an orderly fashion
Strives to get necessary people to attend
Fosters council member participation
Promotes audience engagement
Ensures motions & actions are clear
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Traits of Successful Members
Show up
Are prepared
Ask staff questions in advance
Are brave and speak up
Are respectful
Are fair
Are consistent
Don’t act if not ready
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Traits of Successful Members
Don’t disclose Confidential / Executive Session data
Don’t have discriminatory motives
Anticipate and address Conflicts of Interest
Know the law & rules that apply
Good stewards of administrative resources
Put community interests above personal
Focus on big picture and let staff find a path
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Traits of Successful Members
Lead with a positive agenda (+)
Embrace all matters before the Board
Are open to possibilities (open to discovery)
Are supportive of others
Share Data (don’t hoard info or ambush)
Conduct themselves with Decorum
Seek & Build Consensus
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City of Port Arthur
November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
Thank you for serving!
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November 30, 2023
(c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
City of Port Arthur