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c. Amend the section to allow the Council to set some level of compensation, <br />provided that it does not take effect during the term of any council member in <br />office at the time the compensation is adopted. <br />d. Although potentially not a popular amendment with some voters, this <br />change should provide greater incentive to run for office and devote the time <br />necessary to govern the city. <br />"Q" 10. a. Section 19 provides that the Mayor is the presiding officer and that the <br />mayor pro tem serves in the mayor's absence or disability. No provision is <br />made for selecting a presiding officer if both are absent or their offices are <br />vacant. <br />b. The normal procedure in such a situation is to provide for the remaining <br />members to select a presiding officer to serve until such time that the mayor <br />or mayor pro tem returns or the office is filled. <br />c. Amend this section to provide a mechanism for selecting a temporary <br />presiding officer. <br />d. This amendment is suggested for efficiency and cleanup purposes. <br />11. a. Section 23 prohibits council members from directing the city manager or a <br />subordinate regarding the appointment or removal from office of any person, <br />or to give direct orders to a subordinate, but does not provide a penalty or <br />ramification for violating the prohibition. <br />b. A mayor or council member may violate this prohibition without the <br />council having a mechanism to punish or prevent the violation. <br />c. Amend the section to provide a penalty, which could include removal from <br />office after due process. <br />d. It is not particularly uncommon for a council member to attempt to directly <br />influence city officers and employees, and doing so may not only violate the <br />charter but could subject the city to liability for harassment or wrongful <br />constructive termination. The council should have clear authority to prevent <br />or punish such behavior. <br />"I" 12.* a. Section 29 provides that all meetings shall be open to the public. <br />b. State law, in the Open Meetings Act, has established a detailed and <br />complex set of regulations governing the types of deliberations that must be <br />open to the public, and the few (eight) circumstances when a closed session <br />may be held. If Section 29 prevents the council from holding any closed <br />sessions, the governance and financial security of the City is put at risk, <br />particularly with regard to purchases of real estate, receiving advice of legal <br />counsel, frank discussion of city officers and employees, and pursuit of <br />economic development opportunities. <br />c. Amend this section to provide that all meetings shall be governed by the <br />Open Meetings Act. <br />d. This amendment will bring Paris into step with other cities in the state and <br />should eliminate situations in which confidential city business and <br />4 <br />