HomeMy WebLinkAboutMT State UniversityMONTANA
STATE UNIVERSITY
Local GOvernment Center
P.o. Box 172240
Bozeman, MT 59717-2240
www.rnontana.edu/wwwlgc
Tel (406) 994-6694
Fax (406) 994-1905
E-mail janejelinski@montana,edu
Montana Municipal
Insurance Authority
3115 McHugh Drive
Helena, MT 59602
www.mmia.net
Tel (406) 443-0907
(800) 635-3089
Fax (406) 449-7440
November 9, 2007
Dear Mayors and City Council Members,
L. ix!OV r. 2.,07m
Congratulations to those of you who have jmt been elected to s~rve yom- ~iti~hgas
Mayors and City Council Members, and thank you to those of you who continue to
serve.
Due to the continuing turnover of City Council members, and the increase in inquiries
from Oty Council members, the Local Govemment Center and Montana Municipal
Insurance Authority are pleased to offer workshops for both newly elected and
experienced City Council members. The purpose of the workshops is to introduce
key elements in the public process and provide a forum for elected officials to gain
knowledge of and inquire about issues pertinent to their position in local government.
While Mayors may attend these workshops with their council members, we encourage
Mayors to attend the 2008 Mayors Academy for wkich registration materials will be
available soon.
The following agenda and schedule for City Council Workshops is tentative and can
be modified depending on your response and requests to cover additional areas. In
order to obtain the most effective coverage of the program we are asking that several
ckies participate together to reduce the time and cost of the workshops, as well as to
expand the levels of experience among participants. This collaboration also provides
an oppommity for you to create and expand your network of colleagues in your area.
There will be a charge of $450 per workshop plus travel costs at state rate to cover our
expenses. Participating cities and towns will be asked to work out among themselves
how theywill share the costs. If your Council would like to participate, but the
proposed dates for your area are not feasible please let us know what alternate dates
will work and we will try-to accommodate your needs.
AGENDA
5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Introduction to Municipal Government
a. Forms of Government
b. Roles and Responsibilities of City Council Members
c. Goal Setting and Strategic Planning
2. Montana's Open Meeting Laws and Ex Parte Communication
3. Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct
4. Conduct of Council Meetings
5. Open Discussion
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Miles City- Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Laurel - Thursday, January 10, 2008
Three Forks, - Thursday, January 17, 2008
Stevemville - Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Polson- Thursday, January 24, 2008
Lewistown - Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Shelby, Thursday, February 7, 2008
These dates and locations are tentative and are subject to change depending on response. We look forward
to working with you and hope that we can assist you in this enormouslyimportant work of governance at
the grass mots level.
Registration forms w/Il be sent out in December.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Jelinski, Director,
Local Govenunent Center
Robert Worthington, CE 0
Montana Municipal Ilnsumnce Authority