OPINION: Council Committee meetings are very informative and interesting, open to the public

Council members Fields (with tie), Birney (in red) and Carson (facing back) met with Police and Fire executives during yesterday afternoon's "Safety Committee Meeting.  Council member Fields chairs this committee.  Credit/ B. Yoder

Four times a month on Tuesdays the city council meets with staff at 4:30 pm to discuss city business.  They are called "Council Committee Meetings" and are significant because city staff are present and important business is reviewed, discussed and conducted. The public is invited to attend but may not comment and must remain silent.  Council and staff don't typically mingle with you. Bench seating is available. The meetings are held on the first floor of City Hall in the Council Conference Room across from chambers.  Whether or not there is quorum no formal action is taken at these meetings.  Meeting agendas and minutes can be found HERE, after scrolling.   If you have any interest in the workings of city government I encourage you to attend!

I found this "Safety Committee meeting" very interesting and informative.  A police executive reported that many of the baby-boomer officers were retiring and state training requirements slow down the commissioning process.  He indicated the Patrol force is in full swing but that officers-in-training had to take the "minor" duties like traffic control while being paid as fully commissioned officers.  It was interesting when Fire executives indicated, not counting the downtown apartments, over 35% of the apartment complexes don't have sprinkler systems and some don't have alarms.  The department historically takes a lot of calls from the 60-01 apartment complex in west Redmond,  Both Police and Fire reported they were under budget.  Council member Fields mentioned he's recieved anecdotal reports from citizens of near-miss ped-auto collisions at intersections.  He asked Police to look into it and requested data to confirm.  

In last night's study session "Council Rules and Procedures" were reviewed with Michele Hart, the city clerk.  What I found most interesting was the Council President (currently Ms. Angela Birney) works with the Administration to set agendas and determine topics for study sessions. Her e-mail is abirney@redmond.gov.  Under "Rules and Procedures" Council is planning to rename council committee "standing committees" (3 council members) with "Council as a Whole" (7 council members.)  Their rules will forbid "final action," as in study sessions, even with quorum; and absences needn't be recognized or approved.  

In meetings "Parks and Human Services" are reviewed on the first Tuesday of every month and Mr. Myers is currently the chair; "Planning and Public Works" meets the second Tuesday of every month and Ms. Padhye is the chair, "Public Safety" meets every third Tuesday and Mr. Fields is the chair.  "Finance, Administration and Communication" meets the fourth Thursday and Mr. Margeson is currently the chair.  All chairs are council members.  [For a detailed description of these committees "READ MORE." ] 

B. Yoder

SOURCE: Council Meetings Calendar, 3/20/2018, Study Session, Rules and Procedures amendment
https://redmond.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Parks & Human Services Committee

To review, analyze and recommend policies regarding parks facilities and recreational programs; coordination of education programs and facilities; programs and facilities for senior citizens, underprivileged and handicapped persons, minorities and low-income families; and, generally, areas involving the preservation, protection and advancement of human concerns.

Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.; Council Conference Room.

Planning and Public Works Committee

To review, analyze and recommend policies governing comprehensive and coordinated land use planning and management; energy; subdivisions and plats; preservation and protection of greenbelts, floodplains, shorelines and natural amenities; annexation and area planning; and, generally, the supervision and control of the development and land use process; street and right-of-way improvements, maintenance and operation; public utilities, including storm drainage, sanitary sewers, water, coordination with special purpose districts and other municipal utilities, and supervision over privately owned public utilities; public buildings and improvements; construction and building codes and regulations; and, generally, projects and facilities within the area of public works.

Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.; Council Conference Room. 

Public Safety Committee

To review, analyze and recommend policies affecting law enforcement and fire protection; animal control; civil defense; and public health and safety.

Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.; Council Conference Room.

Finance, Administration, and Communications Committee

To review, analyze and recommend policies governing the function and operation of municipal government through its departments, boards, and appointive officers; personnel management policies, including salary and compensation plans, working conditions and employment benefits; maintenance of public records and documents; public relations and information; inventory and control of municipally owned property; comprehensive municipal insurance coverage; and, generally, policy areas dealing with public administration; financial policy; analysis of and advice on the budget process, proposed budgets and other financial programs with respect to overall city policy; Council rules and procedures, matters relating to conflict of interest, questions and code of ethics for public officials; campaign practices and expenditures; and, generally, matters relating to the conduct of municipal affairs, its rules and ethics.

Meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.; Council Conference Room.

SOURCE:  City website