Purpose of the Special Meeting is to discuss Piqua City Commission-Roles and Responsibilities.

Jane Dockery of Wright State University facilitated the meeting.

There was discussion on the role of the City Commissioners and what they feel is their responsibility to the citizens of Piqua. One of the major points all Commissioners agreed on is their role is to represent the citizens and to provide answers to their questions. City Manager Enderle stated the Commissioner's should be an ombudsman for the citizens, but it is not their responsibility to solve the citizen's problems. Citizen problems should be forwarded to the City Manager and he will make sure the proper authority receives the questions. After the information is received it will be reviewed and answers will be given to the citizen and a copy forwarded to the Commissioners.

The Commissioners related some of the problems they have on getting the correct information from the citizens, and all agreed to forward any citizen emails to the City Manger for review. Mr. Enderle encouraged Commissioners to talk to Department Heads on matters, but to also keep him in the loop when doing so. When this procedure is followed it makes for a uniform process in getting the correct information to citizens questions.

The Commissioner's discussed the role of the City Manager with regards to the City Commissioners position, and the policy and procedures they feel he is following. Mr. Enderle stated he would provide responses to all City Commissioners when a question comes to him, thus keeping all of them in the loop on the information given.

Mayor Fess stated the Commissioners should work together as a team and come off as a united front to the citizens. Mr. Enderle stated after the discussion of a subject at a Commission Meeting the Commissioners should back each other up. Negativity in the City of Piqua was discussed with the Commissioners listing the top 5-10 negative problems they feel the city has, and how they plan to address the issues.

Mayor Fess asked if there was something she could do as Mayor to improve some of the negative issues.

Commissioner Martin stated he felt the Commission Meetings were being conducted very professionally.

Ms. Dockery stated she would like to put a "parking lot" list together to better organize the issues at hand. A list of the issues was established for consideration. Some of the ideas included: Image, Economic Development, Strategic Capital Investment, Marketing and fiscal soundness and responsibility.

Another work session will be scheduled in the future to further discuss the goals identified and the ways to implement them.

City Manager Enderle stated he would like to change the format of the Commission Meeting Agenda, and explained the reason for the change and how it would be set up starting with a Consent Agenda, Old Business, and New Business. All Commissioners were in agreement to the new agenda idea.

Department Heads/Commission-2010 Goals & Objectives

There was discussion of the need for and the cost of Economic Development in the City. The biggest obstacle in economic development is the economy, said Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director Bill Murphy. Other issues involve not having available land that is ready for development or is "shovel ready", the cost of doing business, and the quality of life issues that differ from company to company looking to locate in Piqua are important.

Mayor Fess stated funding for economic development is expensive but important. Advertising and trips to domestic shows are where companies go to look for business opportunities. Overseas trips to meet potential employers are very important to the effort. Sometime those efforts are seen as frivolous to the public, but truly are important to our economic development.

Commissioner Wilson stated the general public thinks we are not doing our job when it comes to economic development in the City of Piqua.

More communication with the public is needed to help increase a better understanding of the need, and the benefits of the economic development program.

Commissioner Martin stated the public probably does not understand the full view of economic development, and suggested sharing information with the public when a prospect has contacted the city by noting it on the city's website.

Mr. Murphy stated the city and its development partner, Grow Piqua Now (GPN) are planning a State of Economic Development program in April to give businesses and the community a look at what is being done.

Commissioner Fess stated Piqua has always been a traditional industrial/manufacturing community but now has to position itself to attract other types of businesses.

Building of staff morale was discussed, with possible ways to recognize excellent and outstanding performances. Being a team member and working together is important to all employees, and being recognized for not only the major accomplishments, but also the little everyday things employees do to make the city a better place to work and live in.

There was discussion on ways the City Commission can work more efficiently and communicate better with the City Manager and the community. City Manager Enderle stated he would like to receive more direction from the City Commission on what they feel is important and would like to see done.

The new water plant, and the storm water utility issues were a top priority with the Commissioners. It was stated they would like to pursue the appropriations, and only address the EPA compliance issues at this time.

Mayor Fess stated she felt it was a very good meeting and thanked Ms. Dockery. Mayor Fess also stated she appreciates the work the department heads have done, and wants to keep an open dialog, and if anyone has any ideas to please share them with the City Manager or the Commissioners.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to adjourn from the Piqua City Commission Work Session at 1:40 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Wilson, Martin, Terry, Hudson and Vogt. Motion carried unanimously.

______________________________
LUCINDA L. FESS, MAYOR

PASSED: ________________________

ATTEST: _________________________
REBECCA J. COOL
CLERK OF COMMISSION