This blog is in response to the the City of Commerce's press release regarding presentations made at city council meetings.
MY OPINION: the press release is BS
Does the City have a policy and procedure for public comment? Yes it
does. Read the agenda. The period from as close to 6:05 to 6:20 is "RESERVED"
for citizens to discuss items not listed on the agenda.
Definition of reserved: "kept specially for a particular purpose"
So by their posted agenda, no other city business should be conducted
during that time, other than to receive presentations from citizens for items
that are not on the agenda.
Common sense would have indicated that with a standing room only crowd, there
is probably at least one person in the audience that wishes to make a
presentation to the city.
From firsthand experience, the previous two mayors (me being one of
them), would ask during the "Presentation to City Council by members of the Public" if anyone in the audience wanted to make a presentation. Apparently the current mayor chooses not to. (Please note that I did not attend this
meeting and if memory serves I have only attended one council meeting since leaving
office in 2012.)
The press release states "it should be noted that, prior to and
during such meeting, no Citizen came forth to indicate a desire to discuss any
matter on the agenda, or any subject pertaining to city government."
Was there a city official or city employee that told each and every person
before they came into the council chamber that if they wanted to address the
council they would have to let them know prior to the meeting? My guess is that
there was not, BECAUSE the agenda already says between 6:05-6:20 is reserved
for citizens to make presentations.
Was there a separate posting other then the agenda to indicate to
citizens that they must come forth prior to the meeting and let the City know
they wish to make a presentation? Once again, my guess is that there was not, because
the POSTED agenda already says between 6:05-6:20 is reserved for citizens to
make presentations.
Let's be real here. A mistake was made. But instead of the City taking full responsibility
(and let's face it, it was the mayor's error since he officiates the meeting), someone(s)
at City Hall is trying to shift part of the blame on to its CITIZENS, when it
says "no one came forth" to let us know they wanted to discuss a matter.
Once again, how were they to know? Because apparently following your own agenda
is not the right way to do it.
In my opinion, citizens did come forth. So many so, that the council
chamber was full to standing room only. They did follow your POSTED instructions
on how to make a presentation to the city, they were there between 6:05-6:20.
Now it is apparent from the press release that City Hall will create
more rules and regulations, where none are needed. In the future to speak to
the council you must make a "written request". Why does any government create more rules,
regulations and procedures for it citizens? It's simple: to limit input from its citizens.
Will you have to produce a photo id to show that you are a citizen as
well? Heaven forbid if a "non
citizen" wanted to address the council. (Sarcasm there folks)
And what is good for the goose will have to be good for the gander. I
assume now at EVERY meeting involving the city council and any of the city
boards or committees that citizens will have to make a written request to be
able to make a presentation to them as well. Can't enforce a set of regulations
on one and not on the others.
If they'd simply followed the posted meeting agenda, none of this would
be necessary. Apparently this council
has its own AGENDA.
