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MASC official tells Great Falls council to prioritize teamwork, clear procedures
Summary
At an Aug. 5, 2024 workshop, MASC Field Services Manager Charlie Barrineau gave a new-council orientation to Great Falls leaders, urging collegiality, information-sharing, and routine distribution of agenda packets; he also reviewed council powers and the limits of mayoral authority. No formal votes were taken.
At a workshop on Aug. 5, 2024, MASC Field Services Manager Charlie Barrineau delivered a new-council orientation to the Great Falls Town Council at the Town Hall Community Center, advising members to prioritize teamwork, transparency and proper meeting procedures.
Barrineau told the newly seated council that "the hardest job is understanding your role on town council," and that "the only way for council to succeed is to work together civilly and respectfully." He advised that when one member requests information "everyone gets a copy," urging that requests be logged so all members have the same materials.
The presentation covered practical governance items: Barrineau recommended that agenda packets be handed out days before meetings so members can review materials and ask questions in advance, and he counseled members to "praise in public; criticize in private." He warned against micro-managing staff and urged members to bring resident concerns to the full council rather than acting unilaterally.
Barrineau reviewed powers associated with Great Falls’ council form of government, saying councils exercise legislative and administrative authority, prepare and adopt a balanced annual budget, elect a mayor pro tem, may call special meetings by majority and appoint the city attorney, judge and municipal clerk. He also summarized the mayor’s duties as presiding at meetings, calling special meetings and voting as a council member, and stated that the mayor has "no formal authority under state law beyond that of serving as a member of council," describing much of the role as ceremonial and as the council’s spokesperson.
On meetings and committees, Barrineau said committees must post meetings, produce agendas and record minutes; while four members can call a meeting, an agenda should be posted and minutes kept. He described social media as "a blessing and curse," urging council members to avoid online debates and to use the town’s site as a trusted resource. He also noted there is no state requirement to allow public comments and cautioned that permitting them can create challenges that councils should manage deliberately.
The record lists attendees as Mayor Brantley; Council Members Craig, Eagle, Dutton, Gonzalez and McManus (Council Member Worthy absent); Town Clerk Jessica Eubanks; and Charlie Barrineau. No motions or votes were recorded during the orientation. The minutes were submitted by Town Clerk Jessica Eubanks.
No formal action was taken; the session served as an orientation and review of procedures and responsibilities for the council.
