City Council Study Session

City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes Monday, August 08, 2022, at 6:00 PM 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 1. Call to Order by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor at 6:06 pm 2. Discussion Items A. Ethics Ordinance Discussion Administrator Montenegro offered this meeting as a form of conflict resolution so the Council can move forward and heal from past mistrust and hurt feelings, hoping to clear the air of tension and move the City forward. She allowed each council member to share and engage in an open dialogue, to have a hard conversation but still feel respected and safe in their questions. First, each council member was asked what they believed is most important to the residents. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor – That concerns are being addressed in a timely manner. They are concerned that things work, water, sewer roads, and the systems are in place. Residents’ issues are important and will be responded to. Also, to continue with community events so we keep the small-town feel. Councilmember Miller – Residents want to feel respected and acknowledged, involved in decision making, that the city is run efficiently that their money is being spent wisely, the decisions are resident-focused. Councilmember Kenez – Residents top of the organizational chart. Whatever concerns residents express those are the issues I bring to this body about, any opinion suggestion or anything. It's all about friends and neighbors. The reason for running is because for the last few years residents felt like things were not going in the direction they wanted and felt lost in the process. Come from a place of suspension and when questions are asked, they are not answered respectfully and feel attacked. When questions are asked the answers should be coming from those of you who have been here. Councilmember Jennings – Residents are concerned with the power outages are a frustration with lots of residents. Effective communication is being able to reach out to residents without burdening them. Lots are residents want a soft place to land on Southfield Rd besides Panera. Councilmember Kenez - Echoed the idea that if there was just 1 person to pick up the phone instead of having to go through the phone tree that takes you nowhere. 27400 Southfield Rd | Southfield, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  Each Councilmember was asked to say something nice about the person sitting on the right and the left. City Administrator Montenegro asked members to share other concerns. Councilmember Miller expressed concern about the process and procedures, “we need to make sure that no matter who sits at the table, there needs to be things in place that allows the community to continue and survive and be a community where residents want to live. “ Administrator Montenegro asked that going forward that the past can be put behind us, and she also asked how to move forward from here. Councilmember Kenez suggested that we move forward with respect to stop attacking. Administrator Montenegro suggested that this conversation be continued at another meeting, and each councilmember should read over the draft ethics ordinance that has been provided and suggest changes that each member believes need to be added as discussed. Attorney Baked suggested that all subcommittees be led by staff and consultants, and minutes will be taken and placed on the city website 4. Public Comments Jay Bacinski –Written comments were read about the current Ethics Ordinance. 5. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm 27400 Southfield Rd | Southfield, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org