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08-11-2008, 06:48 AM
For those of you who claim not to read the paper, in this morning's Chieftain:
The Pueblo City Council will consider changing its rules for how it approves resolutions tonight.
Council will vote on an item that will allow "relevant public comment" on resolutions.
Resolutions differ from ordinances in that they don't require multiple readings or public hearings, and are usually approved as part of council's consent agenda.
But at its July 28 meeting, council acted on two controversial issues, which were both resolutions.
The first was an agreement with Waste Connections over the South Side landfill and the second was a management agreement with NEK Advanced Securities to manage Pueblo Motorsports Park through the end of the year. While representatives in support of the two agreements were allowed an exchange with council, no public testimony was taken.
Monday's action would allow the public to comment on any resolution except those appointing people to boards and commissions.
People who want to comment on a resolution will be required to sign their names on a sheet provided prior to the start of the regular session. The sheet will require them to give their addresses and identify which resolutions they wish to talk about as well.
Ironically, the item changing the procedures is itself a resolution, meaning that people may not have the chance to comment on it.
I love it, any input is only what Council WANTS to hear ("While representatives in support of the two agreements were allowed an exchange with council, no public testimony was taken.") Isn't that "My Way or the Highway"?
Point being . . quite a few items that affect both the taxpayers wallets and quality of life seem to come before the City Council as "Resolutions" and are decided without consulting or listening to constituents . . Often behind closed doors, and with no notice to the public that there is a pending action . . Or "Resolution".
I could go way back, but let's start with the IGA with Colorado Springs, The $18 million Dollar Police Station that is going to cost $43 million and work our way to today . . little has been done with much thought or feedback, simply because it doesn't fit the Council's agenda, and the Council, overstaffed by Real Estate Salesmen, see this as their chance to SELL PUEBLO, literally! And apparently, they deem both Transparency and Public Input as a handicap!
Anytime Government operates from the basis of doing business based only on what it WANTS to hear, it is not operating in the best interests of it's people . .
The Pueblo City Council will consider changing its rules for how it approves resolutions tonight.
Council will vote on an item that will allow "relevant public comment" on resolutions.
Resolutions differ from ordinances in that they don't require multiple readings or public hearings, and are usually approved as part of council's consent agenda.
But at its July 28 meeting, council acted on two controversial issues, which were both resolutions.
The first was an agreement with Waste Connections over the South Side landfill and the second was a management agreement with NEK Advanced Securities to manage Pueblo Motorsports Park through the end of the year. While representatives in support of the two agreements were allowed an exchange with council, no public testimony was taken.
Monday's action would allow the public to comment on any resolution except those appointing people to boards and commissions.
People who want to comment on a resolution will be required to sign their names on a sheet provided prior to the start of the regular session. The sheet will require them to give their addresses and identify which resolutions they wish to talk about as well.
Ironically, the item changing the procedures is itself a resolution, meaning that people may not have the chance to comment on it.
I love it, any input is only what Council WANTS to hear ("While representatives in support of the two agreements were allowed an exchange with council, no public testimony was taken.") Isn't that "My Way or the Highway"?
Point being . . quite a few items that affect both the taxpayers wallets and quality of life seem to come before the City Council as "Resolutions" and are decided without consulting or listening to constituents . . Often behind closed doors, and with no notice to the public that there is a pending action . . Or "Resolution".
I could go way back, but let's start with the IGA with Colorado Springs, The $18 million Dollar Police Station that is going to cost $43 million and work our way to today . . little has been done with much thought or feedback, simply because it doesn't fit the Council's agenda, and the Council, overstaffed by Real Estate Salesmen, see this as their chance to SELL PUEBLO, literally! And apparently, they deem both Transparency and Public Input as a handicap!
Anytime Government operates from the basis of doing business based only on what it WANTS to hear, it is not operating in the best interests of it's people . .