With the special election scheduled I have had several inquiries about being on the city council.  Here are some of my advice, observations, and "wisdom" to someone considering a run to be on our city's main policy making body.

You should be willing to listen to all comers, hear what they are saying, and weigh this then decide - not decide and then try to defend a preconceived position.  I think we have all thought a matter would go one way and then realized after testimony or discussion that another course was better.

You should be willing to consider yourself part of the council team. We all listen, decide and vote.  We all will lose some votes 6-1 and you have to not take that personally and recognize that you are still part of the team.  We need you and you still need us.  You are, of course, a strong individual, but it is the body that decides and everyone needs to work to implement the decision once it is made.

You have to be willing to make all of the decisions and not tune out stuff that is not "why you ran".  I have nothing against strong personal interests in some issues over others, but council will get to your issue, decide for or against it, and then its on to the next decision.  Your interest has to be the whole agenda and not just certain agenda items.

You need to be able to participate in a meeting and not have to dominate it or be non-existent at it.  Civil, careful, "Robert's Rules" discussion is needed to have a good meeting - no venting, no personal attacks just a little patience and respect.

People will give council credit and blame for things out of our control.  You have to always recognize its not personal.  Its just a "difference in opinion" even though lots of folks do not know how to express things without it sounding personal.

I prefer citizens seeking to do the job because of an interest in the public service as oppose to one who seeks it to further their career or narrow interests.  Your vote decides many issues for the city and, as a body, we represent the will of the people we represent. Sometimes you can gauge pretty well how our citizens as a whole feel about an issue, but often the matter is pretty narrow and you will only hear from the highly interested parties.  You need to trust your judgement after study and discussion.  Either way you are representing the people of the city.

Each councilor brings a background to the table and good diversity of backgrounds and personality helps.  I am very quantitative, economic calculation oriented, while others are  much better at facilitating, or sensing other people's needs.  It takes all types to be effective as a group.

Lastly, you have to have the 10-20 hours per week to read the packet, go to the meetings, do the additional constituency things, attend your assigned outside meetings, etc.  Everyone is generally surprised by the amount of time required.  The demands in any given week can vary considerably.

Still interested?  Feel free to contact me or any councilor for more feedback to help you make a big decision.   Someone once told be it is a "thankless job".  Let me be the first to say "thank you" for considering putting you name on a ballot and all it represents.