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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6B Presentation for Outgoing Mayor and Councilors 1 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2016 AGENDA #: 6B PREPARED BY: FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER PRESENTED BY: FRANK BOYLES MAYOR HEDBERG ACTING MAYOR MCGUIRE AGENDA ITEM: PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR AND COUNCILORS PRESENTATION: First and fore most for those who are here for this agenda item explicitly thank you so much. This evening we celebrate the contributions of three civic-minded Prior Lake residents who have served our community above and beyond the call of duty. While the typical resident is home watching TV, hustling the kids to and from various activates, feeding the crew, working out, pursuing avocational interests, or socializing, city councilors can most often be found doing one or more of the following:  Responding to requests for information from constituents or complaints about something the city did or failed to do.  Attending meetings of one of the six or seven advisory bodies they are appointed to serve on yearly in addition to being on the council.  Walking or driving the community to see what’s new and what needs attention.  Reading minutes or reports to keep up with what is happening or to prepare for an upcoming council meeting.  Checking the local and metropolitan newspapers and social media to learn more about perceptions and current municipal issues here and elsewhere. And when councilors go out to socialize or relax they are still “The Mayor” or “My Councilmember” to residents they meet. That means of course that the public is entitled to spend as much time as necessary conveying their concerns about one thing or another even though the councilor would just as soon drop the councilmanic mantel for a few minutes—but they never do since they know the work is 24/7 in nature. We in Prior Lake are especially fortunate because year after year, for the decades I have observed, those who serve you as councilors are simply some of the brightest, most dedicated, hardworking, and community oriented people that I have ever met. 2 They are as you know your representatives. Five representatives for over 25,000 people in the city and another 10-20,000 visiting our community daily as employees, employers or guests. Add to that the many thousands who will come to Prior Lake and call this community home in the future. Today’s council represents them as well as their policy decisions affect the community for decades. Suffice to say the job of representation which is the central role of a city council member is very challenging. City councilors are the genius of our local governments. They are the conduit of people’s concerns on a plethora of issues. The breadth and depth of the knowledge they must possess to be effective is well beyond what the vast majority of the public perceives. They ask the staff questions which push us, the professionals, to do our jobs the best we can, to learn more, to try new things and even dare to fail. Without taking any credit away from city staff members, city councilors are why local governments continue to be capable, up-to-date and innovative. Our recognition tonight is for Mayor Hedberg, Councilor Keeney and Councilor Morton. Mayor Hedberg was appointed to the City Council in January 2007. That November he was elected to the council and then reelected in 2010. In 2012, he was elected Mayor. He has served for a total of ten years. Councilor Keeney was elected in 2009 and reelected in 2012. He has served for seven years. Councilor Morton was elected in 2012 and served one four-year term. So, with that background we recognize Councilors Morton, Keeney and Mayor Hedberg for their excellent work on our behalf. Mayor Hedberg has a presentation for each councilors Morton and Keeney. Each will be given an opportunity for comments. Then acting Mayor McGuire will make a presentation to Mayor Hedberg followed by any comments the mayor desires to make.