HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/03/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council workshop
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 9-10, 2023
March 9, 2023: The workshop convened at 5:00 p.m. at Westwood Hills Nature Center.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Spano, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda
Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), Administrative Services Director (Ms. Brodeen),
Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Smith)
Guests: Pamela Whitmore
City council participated in a workshop and discussed the following items:
• Pamela Whitmore presented on the components of Carver Governance.
• The council reviewed scenarios and discussed roles of council and staff.
• City council norms were reviewed and discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm
March 10, 2023: The workshop convened at 8:30 am at Westwood Hills Nature Center
Councilmembers present: Mayor Spano, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda
Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), Deputy City Manager (Ms. Walsh), HR Director (Ms.
Vorpahl), Administrative Services Director (Ms. Brodeen), Racial Equity and Inclusion Director
(Ms. Guess), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Building and Energy Director (Mr. Hoffman), Community
Development Director (Ms. Barton), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Fire Chief (Mr. Koering),
Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith), Public Works Director (Mr. Hall),
Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Smith), Public Services Superintendent/Deputy
Public Works Director (Ms. Fisher), Deputy Chief of Police, Siar Nadem
Guests: Consultant Ellie Krug
Council and staff participated in the following learning and development activities and
discussions:
• REI Impact Analysis Tool: Attendees applied a race, equity, and inclusion lens when
considering the following question: Does the council want the city to make public
statements when big, external events happen? If yes, what is the criteria staff should
use to assess?
• True Colors: Participants explored leveraging strengths while balancing opportunities for
growth. They discussed pale colors, how to amplify their pale colors, and leaning on the
strengths of others to work as a team.
• Concentric Circles: Attendees participated in an introduction of conversations that look
at the “black and white” nature of race, equity, and inclusion.
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City council workshop minutes -2- March 9-10, 2023
• Gray Area Thinking: Attendees discussed how we group and label others, and group and
label ourselves. They engaged in exercises centered on Gray Area Thinking, a toolset on
how to exercise an empathetic heart and discuss the three levels of human inclusivity.
• Gender Communication: Ellie Krug presented on gender norms in communication and
share her experience in communication as she transitioned from male to female.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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