CC MINS 20090829 SPC MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
CANDIDATE ETHICS WORKSHOP/COUNCIL TEAM BUILDING WORKSHOP
AUGUST 29, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 9:42 A.M. by Mayor Clark at the Los Verdes Golf&
Country Club, Ballroom Conference Room and Adjacent Patio, located at 7000 W. Los
Verdes Drive, notice having been given with affidavit on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Dyda, Long, Stern, Wolowicz*, and Mayor Clark
ABSENT: None
* Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz arrived for the afternoon Council Team Building Workshop
Session at 12:40 P.M.
Also present were: Carolyn Lehr, City Manager; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager;
Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information
Technology; Joel Rojas, Director of Community Development; Ray Holland, Interim
Public Works Director; and, Eric Mausser, Human Resources Manager.
Also present was facilitator Dr. Tom Shanks.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Dr. Shanks.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to approve the Agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Clark so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
Public Trust Begins with Your Campaign: Strategies for Connecting Your
Campaign to the Community's Best Values (306)
Mayor Clark provided opening remarks regarding the City's first Candidate Ethics
Workshop and congratulated the seven candidates for the November 3, 2009 General
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Municipal Election who have stepped forward to serve the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
He introduced Dr. Tom Shanks and provided a brief overview of his background.
Tom Shanks, Ph.D., Team Building facilitator, introduced himself, provided brief
background information, and explained how he had become involved in consulting on
the topics of ethics and values for the last 16 years. He explained the plan for the
morning session titled "Public Trust Begins with Your Campaign: Strategies for
Connecting Your Campaign to the Community's Best Values" and provided ground rules
for the discussion to be conducted among the candidates to build public trust during the
election season.
Dr. Shanks provided a presentation regarding ethical elections and engaged the
candidates in discussion regarding ethics, accountability, and the public's trust and
confidence in the government, which is working for the best interests of the residents.
He asked each of the Council Candidates to introduce himself and comment on a core
value of the City which they valued.
Dr. Shanks explained that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes operates under the Council-
Manager Model and invited City Manager Lehr and senior staff members to introduce
themselves.
The following City staff members introduced themselves and provided brief overviews of
their function with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes: City Manager Carolyn Lehr, City
Attorney Carol Lynch, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru, Director of Finance and
Information Technology Dennis McLean, Director of Community Development Joel
Rojas, Interim Director of Public Works Ray Holland, and Human Resources Manager
Eric Mausser. City Manager Lehr noted that Director of Recreation and Parks Ron
Rosenfeld and City Clerk Carla Morreale were not able to be present that day.
City Manager Lehr commented on the open and collaborative working environment at
City Hall and invited the candidates to take advantage of a one-on-one meeting with her
and Senior staff members in which the candidate would be apprised of current issues
within the City.
Council Members Stern, Long, and Dyda introduced themselves and offered comments
regarding the benefits of the ethics program being provided by Dr. Shanks and the role
of City Council and staff members.
The following members of the public who were present in the audience introduced
themselves: Krista Johnson, Ann Shaw, Connie Semos, Beverly Ackerson, and Pang
Mueller.
Dr. Shanks indicated that Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz was not present for the morning
portion of the meeting due to a prior commitment.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
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Mayor Clark called a brief recess from 11:22 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Dr. Shanks provided information on the components behind an ethical campaign, noting
that it should be a competition to serve the residents; a search for the best policy
makers for the community; and, provide residents with the information they need to
choose the policy makers. He identified the five perceptions of what builds public trust
including impeccable leadership ethics; honorable political campaigns; superb City
services; excellent quality of life; and a deep regard for what the public thinks. He noted
that ethical campaigns allow for the newly elected candidates to become immediately
engaged in Council proceedings rather than repairing damaged relationships with their
new colleagues.
Candidates engaged in discussion regarding the benefits of ethically run campaigns.
Dr. Shanks encouraged the candidates to take proactive steps with their supporters to
explain the Code of Fair Campaign Practices that has been signed and ask them to be
the candidate's second conscience, an advisor, or coach. Dr. Shanks shared a video
which highlighted the point that campaigns should be run with honesty, fairness, and
respect.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
At 12:22 P.M. the group recessed to a working lunch on the adjacent patio.
Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz arrived at 12:40 P.M.
Mayor Clark reconvened the meeting in the Conference Room at 1:13 P.M.
Dr. Shanks provided a brief wrap up of the morning session regarding ethical
campaigns.
The candidate training session ended at 1:30 P.M.
City Council Team Building (306)
The City Council Team Building Workshop Session began at 1:38 P.M.
Council discussed its role during the election; the importance of supporting ethical
campaigns; and, follow up with Dr. Shanks throughout the current campaign to monitor
and gauge the effectiveness of this first effort.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Clark called a brief recess from 2:57 P.M. to 3:06 P.M.
Council discussed the new dynamic created by the appointment of Councilman Dyda to
fill former Councilman Gardiner's seat; the importance of working together effectively to
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continue forward progress on the City's goals and initiatives; and, strategies to continue
to work well with the City Manager and senior management staff.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 4:07 P.M., Mayor Clark adjourned the meeting.
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City Clerk
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City Council Minutes
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