Last Night’s City Council Meeting Was A Shocker

[Bill Call]

I attended last night’s City Council meeting and was shocked at what I observed.

The council discussed the minutia of City government concerning such items as sidewalk repair, police hiring policy, expanded reporting requirements for landlords and more.
All members of Council asked polite and insightful questions and where given polite, professional responses by the Mayor and his representatives. What gives?

[Shelley Hurd]

I attended last night’s City Council meeting and was shocked at what I observed.

The council discussed the minutia of City government concerning such items as sidewalk repair, police hiring policy, expanded reporting requirements for landlords and more.
All members of Council asked polite and insightful questions and where given polite, professional responses by the Mayor and his representatives. What gives?

Can you elaberate a bit more on what was asked, spoken of and the responses?

[Meg Ostrowski]

Bill,

I was planning on attending last night's meeting, mainly to get a sense of the incumbents in action, but my night didn't go as planned and I was unable to attend.

Are you being sarcastic or do think everyone was on their best behavior as it was election eve?

I started going to school board meetings last year in an attempt to educate myself about their process but after awhile I started to feel the meetings were just a public formality. I am still in the dark about how/when discussion takes place and decisions are made.

I always appreciate Christopher Bindel's summary of council meetings in the LO to keep me informed without having to endure more meetings.

Meg

[Missy Limkemann]

I too was gonna go last night, but the night got away from me (like usual). Normally when I show up though I seem to throw some of them off. They wonder why I am there and what I am up too. Hmmm, might have to show up again some day....soon....

[jennifer scott]

Let me know whe you go Missy, I will go with you!
Sharon....I'll pick you up! We'll make a night of it.

[sharon kinsella]

Sounds like a plan women!

[Missy Limkemann]

I am there if you are there!!!!

[jennifer scott]

Then it is official....girl's night out!!! Anyone care to join us?

[Danielle Masters]

It's been awhile since I've attended one, I got burnt out a few years ago, but I suppose it's time for me to start paying attention again.

[jennifer scott]

Great Danielle...and it has been awhile since I have seen you!

[Christopher Bindel]

Meg, I'm glad my articles are of use. I try to cover everything at least a little bit, allowing people to be informed without being board to tears. I hope it siafices.

Note to anyone, I am always open to suggestions or questions.


Missy, Sharon, Danielle and Jennifer,

Please let me know when you will be at a meeting. It would be nice to cross paths and meet some of you I have spoken with only on here.

[Valerie Molinski]

I haven't been to one in a while either. Maybe a beer at Sullivan's or something afterwards?

[Rhonda loje]

I can't go with you guys...but would love to know all your insights...diverse as they all will be I'm sure...you guys should start a blog..... to keep all of us who can not go..... informed on what is going on...no matter what point of view you have...I think the more diverse the views the more informed we all will become.

There are going to many important decisions to made and I think we could a benefit from your insights, thoughtful dialog and presence at these meetings.

Thanks,
Rhonda

[Bill Call]

Are you being sarcastic or do think everyone was on their best behavior as it was election eve?

Everyone was on their best behavior.

Just going from memory:

The recommendation was made by the administration to allow the building department to issue citations for sidewalks that need to be replaced or repaired. I think the language would state something like "for the purpose of this section tree lawn also means sidewalk". The Mayor pointed out that in the past a sidewalk would be inspected and a notice would be sent to the homeowner. There was sporadic follow through and enforcement.

It turned out to be a cumbersome process. The new thinking is that sidewalks would be inspected just before the street is scheduled to be repaved. The homeowner would be billed or not billed according to the source of the funding. The building department would also have the authority to cite a homeowner as part of a general building inspection.

The Mayor recommended that the City be allowed to laterally hire police officers who have been laid off by other cities. Lakewood would not have to pay for a civil service exam. The new thinking is that if the City need a full time officer that officer could be hired from the pool of part time officers now employed by the City. Only a limited number of officers would be hired in this manner. It is not a complete change in hiring policy as much as a way to have greater flexibility in the hiring process.

When a member of council asked about hiring of City residents the Mayor responded by saying the City allways attempts to hire a City resident. I think they give four points for being a resident. I resisted the temptation to say anything even though the last time the City hired a City resident as a police officer the first thing the guy did was move out of the City.

There was also some discussion requiring landlords to provide more information about tenants, things like names, number of people etc. The Mayor stated that the City might offer some information about how to properly screen tenants. I think one idea mentioned was to have a screening agency offer discounts through the City. The Mayor said that some landlords have told him that they didn't think they could refuse to rent to someone who has a criminal record or was evicted in the past. There was some mention of providing that information, perhaps through the City Web site..

I assume some of this was discussed prior to the actual council meeting by the various committees which means a total of four or five hours of time to discuss some mundane but important issues. Our Mayor and Council earn their paychecks and then some.