CITY COUNCIL MEETING, OCTOBER 21: Highlights The meeting room at City Hall filled quickly, with one group of residents apparently admitted early for an impromptu potluck in the kitchen before the session. Rated capacity (48) was reached shortly after 7 PM, and people began to congregate on the lawn, or head home to watch the Webcast being streamed by resident Lindsey Breen. The meeting began at 7:30 on an uplifting note, with the mayor presenting acting Chief Jim Curtis with a valor award for his role in the capture of a felon fleeing into Audubon Park last week. Amid a standing ovation, Curtis was presented a commemorative medal and citation. The buildup, however, was soon exploited by the mayor’s sudden announcement that he was appointing Curtis Chief of Police, with promotion to Colonel, and immediate administration of the oath of office. He then turned to a stunned Council and, as a seeming afterthought, invited their confirmation. Cary Campbell raised a point of order on this backwards procedure (under the rules, a point of order is supposed to take precedence over the rest of the discussion until resolved), but was greeted only with several sharp raps of the gavel, and a loud exclamation to “keep quiet for a change.” After a few more mayoral attempts to whip up Council enthusiasm for an on-the-spot endorsement, there was none, and objections and catcalls from the gallery began to impede the exchange. The mayor then abruptly announced his resignation, handed Joanne Bader a letter, and left the room. Attendees struggling for a description of this episode could finally settle on only one word: “bizarre.” Joanne was affirmed as chair pro tem, and took the gavel for the rest of the meeting. The police chief’s confirmation was tabled, with all respect for acting chief Curtis, and a commitment to expedite the search process already announced. Arrears of minutes of previous meetings were circulated for approval. The Aug 12 minutes were approved with a correction, while the rest were tabled for review and approval at the next meeting. Minutes of the Sep 16 regular meeting are still being compiled (see Sep 19 post below for unofficial notes). The financial report continues to show some growing pains, as contracted accountant Charlie Veeneman works to develop concise information of most value to the Council. With early circulation of written content, as promised last month, the oral report was brief, highlighting broad categories of revenues and expenditures for the last 3 months. Specific questions put for discussion next month include - statutory provisions for amending budgets; - exact language of the current City budget ordinance; and - legal provisions for including storm damage in sanitation expenses. The police report provided the usual monthly statistics, with a/Chief Curtis adding that the ‘command post’ bus was sold at auction with a net profit just under $3200. Any other disposals will be announced in progress (see posts below on the Durango SUV currently listed). Gil Zinner reported for the Forest Board, noting that the ash tree replacement program is moving forward. Despite lack of State money to support a grant, residents who agree to participate will still be offered a 10% discount on the cost of their replacement tree, hopefully with support from contributions solicited in the recent City newsletter and subsequently. The Forest Board/Garden Club joint “tree committee” is also working on a Monarch butterfly way station, with appropriate plantings in Curlew Park. Finally, the committee is organizing a volunteer ‘work day’ to support park maintenance on Nov 6. Unfinished Business focused on several items in Vince Osbourn’s City ‘to-do’ list: - Changing annual auditors: Council members agreed that, while this remains a sound idea, the current personnel turbulence at City Hall makes it prudent to wait one more year, retaining Art Henson for the fiscal 2013 report, but with added Council involvement to insure results are understood and recommendations followed up. A resolution to this effect was adopted. - Web site development: Vince is reviewing proposals from 3 candidates for this project, and soliciting ideas and input from residents (see Joanne Bader’s post below). - City attorney candidates are being solicited for discussion at the next meeting. - Day-to-day City business (including check signing) needs to continue pending a mayoral appointment. The Council issued a municipal order giving Joanne limited executive authority for the interim period (up to 30 days); with the legal standing of such a move in some doubt, the Council committed to fill the vacancy as soon as possible. The only item of New Business was the appointment of resident Bill Klump to fill the Council seat vacated by the removal of Al Huber on Oct 15. Bill introduced himself as a ten-year resident of Dove Road, parishioner of St Louis Bertrand, and a CPA by profession. Public Comments: - Tony Williams urged the Council to consider using digital recording and posting of future meetings to make proceedings readily available, as was being done by Lindsey for this meeting. He also endorsed the ash replacement initiative by the Forest Board. - Sharon McGee noted that state contracting arrangements can be used to obtain City road work; Council members affirmed that this option was on the table. The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Nov 18; a special meeting may be called before then to fill the mayoral vacancy. Don’t touch that dial…
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:02:33 +0000
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