Monday, September 14, 2009

UPDATED: Council Committees are now meeting in the neighborhoods and voting on staff issues.















Councilmember Hank Myers (looking at us) takes advantage of  the sunny weather
by hosting his Parks & Human Services Committee at Perrigo Park, 9/8
    
Updated, 9/18 - This month, the Parks & Human Services Committee meeting was well attended, with a loaded agenda. It took place in a city park!   Chair Myers said this was the largest turnout of any committee meeting he's held.  I counted 11 staff and 4 councilmembers.  Early this year,  Council Committees started meeting in the community, away from City Hall.  Of signifiicance, Committees are now voting on occaision to strengthen direction to staff.    Today, they voted to approve a Park grant Ms. Hope's application for funding construction of a BMX bike jump course.

The Parks/H.S. Committee, and David Carson's Safety Committee are trying to get closer to the community and city operations..  Carson's last two Safey meetings were in the Police auxillary at Redmond Town Center and the 148th Ave. Fire Station.  Finance and Planning/Public Works Committees still hold meetings in our grand City Hall. 

The committees started making council decisions earlier this year after consulting with the City attourney about a state law governing "open meetings".   To meet State requirements, the City Clerk posts notice of meeting location and quorum on the  "Extended Agenda" and "Current Agenda" of the city website.  You have to search to find the Notice, but it's there.   Committee meetings with quorum (4 councilmembers) are called "Special Meetings."

Government is now more efficient and effective with decision-making committees more engaged with staff.   This is a significant change for the city by Mayor Marchione.  Everyone wins with a more streamlined government to move process forward!

The public is invited to sit in and listen.  Some committee Chairs might let you comment after the meeting, if you ask permission before the meeting starts.  The Committee Agendas are here for your convenience to help you find the meeting location and times.  Unfortunatley, the City of Redmond's website is archaic and lacks a reliable search engnine.  My pleasure.

by Bob Yoder

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