Engaging the Public – In August?

Two recent items caught my eye. August is typically a month where City Hall is running at a little slower speed. The Council only has a meeting the first Tuesday of the month and we skip the third Tuesday of the month. Many committees take August off. It’s kind of our way of acknowledging that many people are taking that last vacation before school starts and to give people a little break before life gets hectic again after Labor Day. Knowing all of this, it surprised me that the two following events would be held in August, especially during downtown moving days.

Mayor’s Public Hearing on the Budget – Aug 15, 21 & 23
Mayor’s Committee Training – Aug 14 & 30

Seems to me, if you really want to engage the public and care about what they have to say, this is one of the worst times of the year to hold these important events. Particularly the Committee Training since so many plan to be out of town. As I move through City Hall, it is abundantly clear that committees need this training and so much more. I have several ideas for additional training for committees, more on that later.

The Mayor’s budget public hearing will be held at the following places

• Wed. 8/15 6:00 Ashman Library
• Tues. 8/21 6:00 East Police Station
• Thurs. 8/23 6:00 Central Library

More info on the proposed budget schedule is here. We’ll be voting on it on Tuesday.

And here’s the info on the committee training (previous trainings can also be viewed on line).

July, 2007
TO: Board, Commission and Committee Members
FROM: David J. Cieslewicz, Mayor
SUBJECT: COMMITTEE MEMBER TRAINING – NEW OR REFRESHER TRAINING

Thank you for serving on one or more of the many City boards, commissions and committees and for the time and expertise you share with City staff, your fellow committee members and the citizens of the city of Madison.

Your dedication and hard work are appreciated!

It is important that we provide sufficient training so that you are able to carry out your membership responsibilities. Two training sessions have been scheduled on Tuesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 30. Both sessions will be held from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, Room 201, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. The sessions are identical; you only need to attend one. The agenda is enclosed.

Newly appointed members and those who have not received formal training are encouraged to attend. If you’ve attended training in the past and would like a refresher course, you are welcome to attend.

If you are not able to attend one of the meetings in person, Madison City Channel will broadcast the meetings on City Channel 12. Please check Channel 12’s schedule for replay dates and times.

The training session is also available on the City’s committee Web site at: www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/CommTraining/CMTIndex.htm as a streaming video. The materials used in the presentations can be viewed and/or printed from this Web site.

Please RSVP to Pam Williamson at 266-4434 or pwilliamson@cityofmadison.com only if you plan to attend one of the sessions. Feel free to contact Pam if you have any questions.

DJC:pw

encl.

cc: Common Council President and Council Members
City Department/Division Heads
Committee Staff Persons
City Clerk (for meeting schedule)

A G E N D A

Committee Member Training

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 or

Thursday, August 30, 2007

(Identical sessions; attendees need only attend one)

Room 201, City-County Building

210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

I. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz

· Welcome

II. Karl van Lith, Human Resources/Organizational Development and Training

· Role/responsibilities of committee members

III. Michael May, City Attorney, and Roger Allen, Assistant City Attorney

· Ethics

· Robert’s Rules of Order

· Open Meetings/Public Records

IV. Questions and Answers

If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 266-4611 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that proper arrangements can be made. Thank you.