3. Communications IssuesCharles A. Harball
City Attorney
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE:
City of Kalispell
Office of City Attorney
312 First Avenue Bast
P,O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
MEMORANDUM
Mayor Pamela B. Kennedy
and Kalispell City Council
Charles Harball, City Attorney
Frank Garner, Interim City Manager
Issues of Communications
Tel 406.758.7708
Fax 406.758.7771
charball@kalispell.com
kalispell.com
Monday, September 27, 2004 — Work Session
BACKGROUND: Council .members are regularly cautioned about the "hidden
landmines" involved in communicating with one another and with others outside of
the open meeting. The term, ex parte communications is volleyed, about, but is
rarely firmly grasped. It is beneficial, therefore, to briefly revisit the rules of the
�� y
game from time to time so that council members may be comfortable with their
knowledge in this area. While it is important that the City's business not be
imprudently compromised, it is equally important that communications be not
unnecessarily hindered.
RECOMMENDATION: I will present a brief outline of the principles of
communications as a guide to council members. It will be helpful to the discussion
if some specific questions, preferably hypothetical, be considered by council
members beforehand and brought forward in this work session so that we can better
benefit from the dialogue.
Respectfully submitted,
k
Charles~arball; City Attorney Frank Abarner, Interim City Manager