12-05-2014 MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION MEETING
December 5, 2014
A Special Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on
December 5, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., at the La Quinta Inns, 17650 Four Oaks Lane, Schertz, Texas.
The following members present to -wit:
Mayor Michael Carpenter
Councilmember Cedric Edwards
Staff Present:
Deputy City Manager John Bierschwale
Chief of Staff Bob Cantu
City Secretary Brenda Dennis
Guests Present: Mr. Robert Brockman
Councilmember Jim Fowler
City Manager John Kessel
Executive Director Brian James
City Attorney Charles Zech
Mr. Richard Dziewit
Mayor Pro -Tem John, and Councilmember Azzoz were absent.
Call to Order (General Comments)
Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m., a quorum was not present.
1. Discussion and appropriate action on strategic planning issues, employee and City
Council team building and proper governance. (J. Kessel)
Mayor Carpenter recognized City Manager John Kessel who provided a brief
introduction of the day's events and introduced Roy and Mary Ann Davis with Davis
Success Solutions.
• Team building discussion led by Davis Success Solutions (Facilitators & Participants)
Mr. Roy Davis and Mrs. Mary Ann Davis provided and discussed the following:
- Section 1 Introduction to the Team Roles
Roy and Mary Ann went over each Members team profile: Creator, Advancer,
Refiner, Executor and Flexer explaining each role.
- Section 11 Your Team Role
Roy and Mary Ann went over the following:
Understanding your team role
Overview of each individual's role whether it be a Creator, Advancer, Refiner,
Executor or Flexer.
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Member's strengths and challenges and working with others
Your flexibility
Stress at Work
- Section III The "Z" Process
Introduction to the "Z" Process and the sequence of stages: The Creating stage,
The Advancing stage, The Refining stage, and finally the Executing stage.
Guests Robert Brockman and Richard Dziewit left at 10:24 a.m.
- Section IV Application & Reference
Communication — people have different priorities and preferences that affect how
they communicate. By understanding these differences, teams can drastically
reduce misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Meetings — Discussion regarding group meetings can be source of frustration if
people do not value the perspective of their team members.
Understanding how others approach meetings can help to reduce this tension.
Time Management — People use time differently because they perceive time
management differently. Understanding the perspective of other team members is
the first step toward addressing concerns and frustrations.
Comparison of the Team Roles
Mayor Carpenter recessed the special session at 12: 00 p.m. for lunch.
Mayor Carpenter reconvened the special session at 1:15 p.m.
Councilmember Edwards left at 2: 00 p.m.
Senior Management Group joined the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Roy and Mary Ann went over the following items with the Council and management team:
- Discovering the Team Dimensions Model — What is Teamwork?
- Identify Team Roles
- Learn strengths and discomfort zones
- Understanding flexibility and focus trade offs
- Recognize how to reduce team stress
- Appreciate team stages
- Learn about meetings and time management.
- S.W.O.T. (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) Analysis: Pros and cons
- Communication
Mayor Carpenter left at 3:45 p.m.
Management and remaining Councilmembers concluded their thoughts and provided their
comments.
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Adiournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Michael R. Carpenter, Mayor
ATTEST:
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary
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