Lawyer leads city council in retreat

Electric City’s leaders met for a “retreat” in Ephrata Saturday to consider matters that don’t fit well into monthly city council meetings.

“I think every city council should have a retreat,” Electric City’s city clerk Jackie Perman said this week.

“A retreat gives council members an opportunity to ask questions and learn about their roles in city government,” she added.

The city’s attorney, Katherine Kenison, led council discussions on a range of subjects. She explained the role of a council member and the mayor.

She led the group through parliamentary procedures and explained that council meetings are for doing city business. She outlined how to keep control of a meeting and to keep visitors from interrupting procedures.

Electric City’s council allows a period for citizen input, allowing each speaker three minutes to share their thoughts.

An interest in recording meetings was discussed, and a majority of the council thought it unnecessary, according to Perman.

“We discussed orientation for new members on the council and I think a retreat is a good way to do that,” Perman said afterward.

When elected, new council members are given a handbook as a guide, but being able to ask questions of professionals is the way to go, Perman indicated.

Bruce Reim from Clear Risk Solutions, the city’s insurance group, gave a presentation on public officials’ liability, and public official liability training.

The session at the Ephrata location lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.