The CCOC discussed it all – a year after their foray into creating council priorites – equity, affordable housing, transportation, etc – we probably have some results on these important issues right . . . oh, wait, that right, we changed the names of people and committees and it seems this discussion is done. It seems to be a major fizzle.
THE REPORT FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE PRIORITIES
Well. I think everyone wants to just forget this whole fiasco.
However, Marsha Rummel asked what happened to the things they discussed on the retreat, where are the stickies and the big policy issues. Heather Allen, the staff, says that its in appendix 1. The first agenda from December 14th discussed the priorities, they just got an email with those priorities on Friday. The issues are, in priority order: Equity, Affordable Housing, Big Picture planning and development, Economic Development, Sustainability, Transportation, Partnerships, Safety, Neighborhood Planning, Food, Democracy and Seniors. The email they got is asking about what questions they have for the budget on those priorities because Finance Department is trying to be cognizant of the priorities when they present the budget. The details are in the appendix. It’s also in a spreadsheet and they can always go back to it. Alder Sheri Carter asks for the spreadsheet to be sent.
Alder Rebecca Kemble wants to know how these were the priorities and how the subcommittee ended with recommendations that have nothing to do with these priorities. Heather Allen says that the disconnect for those who were not in the room is that the priorities were the basis of the discussion but when they focused on the how, the discussion was that in order to implement council priorities there were structural issues that had to be fixed for council to take the lead in implementing their priorities. That is how the conversation evolved into the government reform initiative, but also there was substantive proposals related to the priorities – equity and sustainability and council staffing. Kemble thanks her and says that is first time she heard that – Alder Denise DeMarb snaps at her that she has said that a couple different times exactly the same way. Alder Matt Phair agrees that is how the recommendations came about, he says that we still need to talk about capacity. We ran into the “kerfuffle of all kerfuffles”, or we thought we did until June (LAUGHTER), but what is under that is the capacity of the council to do the things we want to do for the city. We may have had some communication things that could have gone better, but he hopes we can continue that discussion and work towards building capacity. He says they will do a little of that tonight, very little.
They accept the report and move on.
COUNCIL REFORM
They had several items on their agenda:
– Renaming the Common Council Organizational Committee the Executive Committee
– The Mayor’s proposal to do a $250,000 study
– Renaming the Council President Pro Tem to Vice President
– Renaming the Board of Estimates the Finance Committee
Basically the three renaming items were passed, the mayor said if no other “reform” was happening they could place his study on file, they did. Of course, first they had to listen to a Mayoral lecture and a few jabs at the council about their “secret meetings”. (Yes, he actually showed up!) Rummel also pointed out that there is no money left because they spent it on the policing study. Clear said that the committee only discussed the other items for about a minute – it was mostly a “yeah, whatever”.
The biggest discussion was about when the ordinances would go into effect. The city attorney suggested that they move the effective date from September 1 to January 1. Alder Mike Verveer suggested the beginning of the next term, Alder Maurice Cheeks pushed back a bit, but the city attorney and council staff said it was mostly easier administratively and for long term trying to go back and find records. And that was about it. They also talked about committees vs commissions. In our structure a commission has independent authority, a committee just recommends to the council. The names come from state statute, but that is just their term, we can change that by saying the finance committee has all the duties of a Board of Estimates.
Council Reformed! I’m sure no one will mention these items when they come to the council.
