The City Council Members are the elected representatives of the residents to serve as legislators and stewards of the city. The Council only has authority during a City Council meeting. Outside of a meeting the members have no municipal power. At all times each Council Member must abide by applicable Texas Local Government Codes (TLGC)(ethics), and the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). These State regulations help prevent and penalize graft, back room secret deals, bribery, intimidation, coercion, and conflicts of interest.
Local City Council actions directly impact residents more than higher levels of government. Local ordinances, road conditions, and public safety personally affect citizens on a daily basis. Councils are also the most approachable of all government legislators. Easy constituent access adds an effective, personal level of accountability. This same easy accessibility can fuel emotion charged negativity when the Council is presented with controversial decisions.
In New Fairview the City Administrator, Mayor, or two Council Members can put an item on the City Council Agenda. An important function of the City Administrator is to advise and guide the Council. If this advice and guidance is not heeded or wanted, then it is within the power of two Council Members to place an item on the agenda for Council open meeting discussion and possible action (vote). Controversial issues should be in open public meetings; not vainly debated or argued in private. Texas open meetings regulations (TOMA) does not allow for more than two Council Members to talk about a subject outside of a public meeting. City staff can meet with Council Members one or two at a time to discuss anything at anytime and not violate TOMA. To a point this is a good method of informing and educating the Council, but some hardwired opinions can never be changed or manipulated. This is where open meetings become the only real viable place to discuss “pros and cons”. The Council is not always going to agree with each other or agree with City Hall. This is not a bad thing. In fact it’s good to have diverse opinions and to work through these differences in public meetings. It will not always be pretty, or go according to my vote, but it will be honestly transparent. I like that. Some Cities want the meetings to be scripted sterile. This is usually accomplished via deft reeducation/manipulation of the Council. I have seen other Councils vote with no debate and only a couple of questions; that appear to be scripted. To me this runs counter to the spirit of TOMA. Put the difficult agenda items out there and see where the Council goes with it. I put emphasis and value on allowing the Council to freely utilize the power of the majority. This is a transparent process that culminates in a majority vote; good, bad, right, or wrong. Successfully navigating a divisive Council or local political storms requires honest empathy, humble diplomacy, and a calm demeanor. These attitude traits are very important. The Council Member must also know all aspects of agenda items. Knowledge and calm diplomacy builds trust and respect. Emotion and drama does not. Meetings with controversial action items can make it difficult to remain calm. Regardless of how vicious the debate, or verbal attack, it is important to always practice honest empathy, humble diplomacy, and a calm demeanor. Being prepared and knowledgeable helps tremendously with remaining calm. Regardless, for the sake of respect and dignity, always be a humble winner and a good loser.
** FM407 disclaimer **
Individual results may vary. What works well for me may not apply to all personalities or situations. Some conceptual melding may be required. Reader predisposition of patience and wisdom requires minimal paradigm transference or melding.