Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoles & Best Practices Council - Handout- Pt Arthur (Nov 30 2023)City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 1 Roles & Best Practices for Council Members 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 1 2 City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 2 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) 3 What’s Your Official Position? Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Member Staff 4 3 4 City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 3 Role Clarification Legislator Representative Executive Administrator Advisor / Counselor / Consultant Advocate Commentator Subject Expert Information Gather Observer 5 Tribal Council Circle Council: What’s Your Function? Tasks: Anticipate Outcomes, Deliverables Problem Identification: Goal-setting Problem-Solving: Visioning Listening: Intake Legislative: Policy Formation Appellant: Appeals, Exceptions 6 5 6 City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 4 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 7 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 8 7 8 City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 5 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 9 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 10 9 10 City of Port Arthur November 30, 2023 (c) 2023 Bojorquez Law Firm, PC 6 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 11 Thank you for serving! 12 11 12