Training and Logistics

Training

Training

 

League of Oregon Cities Resources

The League of Oregon Cities also has training and a wealth of materials to help inform and guide elected officials on items such as authority of local governments and roles of elected officials. West Linn is a Council-City Manager form of government.

 

Logistics

  • City Equipment.  City Staff will issue each Councilor a laptop and cell phone to use while they are a City Councilor. These are to be used for City business only and are not for personal use. Staff will utilize Drop Box to place items of interest for Council’s use (i.e. community advisory group apps). Staff will provide Council with a City email address, business cards, name plates for meetings, identification badges, and an alarm code to access City Hall.
  • Photos.  Councilor photos and headshots will be needed for badges, websites, etc.
  • Bios.  Councilor bios will be needed for the Council website. Please submit a bio and we will work with you on finalizing and adding it to the website.
  • Agendas.  The tentative agenda is located on the meetings webpage. This informs Council and citizens what items are tentatively scheduled to be on future agendas. 
  • Meetings.  Council meeting agendas and videos along with upcoming meeting agendas are located on the meetings webpage http://westlinnoregon.gov/meetings. Meetings and Work Sessions are streamed live on the City website and on Cable Channel 30. City Council Meetings and Work Sessions are available online 24/7.
    • Please be prepared and read all agenda packet material before the meeting.
    • We respectfully ask that Councilors ask detailed or technical questions of staff (through the City Manager) before the meeting. Giving staff time to properly research and provide a clear and through response will make us all look better in the eyes of the public and will provide Councilors the necessary information to make an informed decision at the meeting.
    • Executive session materials and discussions must remain confidential. Disclosing executive session materials and/or discussing non-executive session matters while in executive session are both violations of Oregon Public Meetings Laws.
    • Other Council meeting logistics may be addressed as part of the Council Retreat including meeting dates/times, agenda posting timelines, revising agendas/public transparency, posting/reading of public comments, responding to Council emails, etc.
  • Travel.  Councilors may make all their training/travel arrangements or may ask the City Recorder to assist them when Council members travel for business. A Pre-Travel Authorization Form must be completed and turned into the City Manager prior to the business trip. A Post-Travel Reconciliation Form must be completed and turned into the City Manager when you return from your business trip.  The individual member is responsible for all personal expenses (i.e., if your significant other travels with you). Please be sure to keep all receipts to reconcile expenses and complete all necessary forms. These forms are located in the Council Dropbox. City Councilors are required to follow the West Linn Personnel Policies, IRS Rules, Oregon State Statutes, and Oregon Ethic Laws when traveling.
  • Vacations.  Please let the City Recorder know when you are planning a vacation that may conflict with City meetings. She will ensure there will be a quorum for Council Meetings or the meeting will be canceled/postponed.
  • Quorum.  A quorum of City Council is three (3) members. Whenever three or more members meet, the meeting must be noticed, except under limited special circumstances per State law.
  • Statement of Economic Interest.  Councilors are required to file statements of economic interest with the State per ORS 244.050
  • Electronic Records Management System.  The City of West Linn strives to be transparent and sustainable. One of the ways we are meeting these goals are through our Electronic Records Management System known as ERMS or Webdrawer. Please let the City Recorder know if you need assistance locating a document.
  • Community Advisory Groups.  Council currently has 12 community advisory groups that make recommendations to help Council implement the Council goals. Council members are invited to attend community advisory group meetings; however may not chair a community advisory group, may not speak on behalf of Council unless authorized to do so by the Council, and may not vote at any community advisory group meeting. The Council liaison is to provide a direct line of communication between the community advisory group and Council. More information may be found in West Linn’s Municipal Code, Chapter 2. Take time to get to know your community advisory groups.

 

Council Rules, Guidelines, and Goals

Council Rules -- The Council decides its own rules, order of business and rules of conduct for its meetings. They are reviewed annually at the Council Retreat and are updated as needed.

Council Guidelines for Civil Discourse  -- Council passed guidance in November 2018 to help promote positive community interaction.

Council Goals  -- Council has a retreat every December/January to welcome its new members and discuss next year’s Council Goals which sets the City priorities for the following year.

 

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