Media

Did you know that if the Sheriff's Office raises money, they can spend it however they want without oversight from the county board or the public? (about 12 minutes in) And, did you know that some communities aren't paying their share of costs for the radio communications system (DaneCom) - they wouldn't say on camera which one's. (that's about a half hour in) That will be privately emailed to the committee members.

Last week it was the police policy and procedure committee, this week it is the first meeting of the Government Structure workgroup (and a few others).

4 meetings this week.

18 meeting, some at such lovely times as 3:00, 3:45, 8am, noon, 9 and 12:15 . . . public friendly?

17 meetings, 4 cancelled, no meetings on Tuesday because its election day. Meetings at 10, 11:30, 12:15, 11:00 and 5 meetings at 4 or 4:30.

I attended the Human Services Board last night to get a peek at the new tool that they are going to be recommending for making budget funding decisions. However, there was a scheduling snafu and they had to cut their meeting short after an 45 minutes so that the Public Works and Transportation committee could meet, and 15 minutes after that the Personnel & Finance Committee met - so I just let the camera roll so you could see how the county conducts it's business. You might be a little surprised. No discussion, rubber stamp and move on.

I attended this meeting yesterday which was nearly cancelled, the person who was quorum walking in at exactly 5:15 . . . seconds later and they would have had to cancel.

I attended this meeting on Tuesday because there was no information in legistar and they do control millions of dollars. It is one of only 5 meetings they will have this year and it lasted only 25 minutes.

In the city language they use "sole source" purchases when they want to avoid a bidding process. This used to be highly unique . . . but it seems to be becoming less and less unique. So, a blog about sweetheart deals in honor of Valentines Day. Where does this slippery slope end?

Grrr. I haven't been posting when the city adds meetings, and now I'm realizing I'm not longer getting the notices, not since January 16th??? Here's one that is noteworthy. Sigh . . . looks like I've gotten about 80 notices of late meeting in 4 months. About 20/month.

Don't worry, not even the mayor knows? Things have changes since I was on the council and worked on a committee about surveillance cameras (2004?, 2005?). Seems as tho the staff have developed an almost hostile attitude about even telling the alders what they are doing. I was just curious, but stumbled into this.

No actual MMSD meetings - 2 quasi MMSD meetings.