Ventura City Council Meeting
October 17, 2011
Ventura City Hall - 501 Poli Street
Mayor for a Moment – Winner for this month, chosen by Principal Wes Wade, was Poinsettia Elementary School student Mason King for his essay on the topic of Self Control. Upon reaching the dais, Mason knew exactly what to do as he banged the gavel three times.
Education ~ The Key to All Cities
Mayor Fulton brought the meeting to order first by leading into the Pledge of Allegiance, followed with a call of the roll – all present.
The greatest of all misunderstood tragedies took place over the weekend to a family within the Greater Ventura City family, and with Mayor Fulton turning the proceedings over to Deputy Mayor Tracy the announcement was made that Police Officer Ricky Payne, 27, had taken his own life after having served as a Sworn Officer for just four years. Ricky had begun his community service career with the city at the age of 14 as a part-time sports official and counselor within the Recreation Program, then having been hired in 2005 by the Ventura Police Department as a Police Cadet. An investigation is currently underway in an attempt to better understand the nature of this tragedy. He is survived by his father, Rick Payne, a Ventura Police Sergeant, his mother, Kathy, a Senior Office Assistant with Ventura’s Community Development Department, and his sister Jennifer, along with her husband Matt.
Mayor for a Moment – The monthly segment where a VUSD fifth grader is selected to occupy the Mayoral Seat within Council Chambers and asked to read aloud his or her winning essay out of the many that are submitted and judged each month, usually by the school principal. Winner for this month, chosen by Principal Wes Wade, was Poinsettia Elementary School student Mason King for his essay on the topic of Self Control. Upon reaching the dais, Mason knew exactly what to do as he banged the gavel three times.
The young essayist said that self control means many things, like not losing his temper, controlling spending habits, and not becoming so easily distracted. Self control can come from learning to pay attention in classrooms, practicing the piano and concentrating while playing water polo. In trying to control the problem of overspending on his allowance, the young essayist has learned the value of self control, and also sees its value in avoiding fights at school. Later in life self control is valuable in helping to stay out of jail and get rid of bad habits. If everyone had self control there could be less graffiti and less trash on the road, making the world a better place to live.
Parents Everett and Shelly King were present, along with teacher Lisa Hardwell, to witness the presentation. Mayor Fulton presented Master King with a placard designating him as Mayor for Moment along with a lapel pin and the traditional “Key to the City.”The Occupy Ventura public demonstration that had been taking place just outside City Hall managed to spill inside with chants of “We Are The 99 Percent,” occurring most likely as an audio “crosstalk” (grounding incompatibility) problem between the amplification equipment being used outside and the City Hall PA system, thereby causing a full disruption of the proceedings inside Council Chambers. Mayor Fulton called for a recess until the difficulty could be resolved.
Public Communications – Carroll Dean Williams wished to quibble with the conventional wisdom surrounding the origins of the program known as “Mayor for a Moment.” Then in a severe case of “he-said, she-said” which enlightened no one, the charge was floated that the Mayor for a Moment program “has no educational value.” The sentiment did not appear to be coming from the speaker directly, but to so utter, someone would have had to have been asleep based upon the excellent composition and delivery of Master King as witnessed only moments before.Closed Session Report – The city attorney advised no reportable action.
Council Communications – Council Member Monahan wished to report on two events, one as the Liason to the Veterans of Affairs Committee, noting that the Navy Ball was well attended on the 100th anniversary of naval aviation. Capt. Jim McHugh, Commanding Officer of Naval Base Ventura County, introduced the speaker of the evening, Colonel Philip J. McCran, USAF, Ret. On Sunday the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation in an event at Spanish Hills CC, honored Michael (Arrive On Vacation – Leave on Probation) Bradbury.
Council Member Andrews announced that this Saturday the 22nd will be the Kinetic Sculpture Race at Ventura Harbor. They will begin lining up at 9:00 a.m., with the main activity beginning at 10:22 a.m. Human powered vehicles are designed and built to navigate around a course that will take participants through water, sand, roadway and mud. A brief video was shown featuring various mobility vehicles as entrants in races from past years.
Council Member Weir said that our local historical preservation society, the San Buenaventura Conservancy, is planning tour of the Mission district on November 5th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Shown will be the interiors of buildings rarely open to the public, such as the old Washington Hotel, portions of which have not been seen since being closed to the public at least 50 years ago. The Parrish Rectory, also not seen for a comparable length of time, will be open to the tour. For more information go to SB Conservancy (dot org).
The mayor noted that Laura Taylor from Anacapa school has received recognition as Teacher of the Month in a ceremony organized by the Ventura County Credit Union. The CMH Benefactor’s Ball was held on Saturday night – a very well attended event – the benefits from which will use to purchase a new CT scanner at the hospital. The Mayor’s Arts Awards are coming up on November 17, to be held in conjunction with the Cultural Affairs Commission meeting.
Regional Boards, Commissions and Committees – Council Member Morehouse said that on Wednesday LAFCO will hold a hearing on the city’s Parklands Project, and for those who have been waiting for Parklands to be annexed, the discussion will be brought up at the meeting starting it 9:30 a,m., or thereabouts.
The mayor announced that VCTC and Gold Coast have been searching for space to expand their bus yard which is currently on a three-acre plot in Oxnard, with the transportation commission lobbying the federal government for funds which would pay for a much larger facility. Congresswoman Lois Capps announced today that the Federal Department of Transportation has awarded Gold Coast $15 million toward acquisition of an appropriate parcel and construction of a new facility. With respect to the possibility of expanded transportation in the future, along with merging transportation entities particularly on the west side, it was called “great news.”
Community Development Director’s Report – Jeff Lambert and Nancy Maxwell, interim CEO of the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce gave special recognition to a successful local business, it being this month Draganchuk Alarm Systems.
Business Recognition [Draganchuk Alarm Systems, Inc.] showing: The presentation began with Mr. Lambert outlining a brief history of the company, now in existence since 1970 when it was founded by Mark Draganchuk. The company is currently in a hiring mode, looking for salespeople and security guards.
Mayor Fulton invited Mark and his family to the sidebar where the family was thanked and provided with a certificate of recognition from the city council. The recipient acknowledged assistance from the Ventura Planning Department for assistance in helping to select a new home location for the business. Wife Lisa and sons Tyler and Ryan were introduced as well.
Consent /// Formal Items – The Consent Agenda held four items; Azahar Place Associates License Agreement; Council Quarterly Travel Report; Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Driving Under the Influence Enforcement and Awareness Program Grant, and Water Service Agreement with the County of Ventura for Saticoy Park. It was asked of any council members to identify items they might wish to pull. Council Member Morehouse indicated the pulling of Consent Agenda Item No. 4. Item Nos. 1 through three were then opened up for public comment.
Public Communications – Brian Rencher spoke to the council on the creation of a special maintenance assessment district #18 for Azahar Place, explaining for the public’s edification that when a developer owns the properties in question, allowances are made for special assessments geared up for special benefits through a 2-18 vote, and yet when the developer owns 100% of the property, it takes only one vote to create the district. New owners of the property, homeowners and the like, inherit the terms of the maintenance assessment with no opportunity to have voted one way or the other. This is done for them by the city council and the developer, using this power to pay for public amenities such as parks, which, for the most part, have nothing to do with maintenance of the new owners’ property. Many see this kind of action as taking unfair advantage through manipulation by those parties in power as a back door method for allowing public access to private rights-of-way. In this case it is the Citrus Place development and others like it that are opening the city up to potential litigation, this being the speaker’s basic warning to the council.
With no further communication or discussion the asked for a motion on Consent Item Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Council Member Brennan so moved and with a second having been obtained the mayor asked for a roll call vote. All members voted yes.
Consent Agenda Item No. 4 – The mayor announced that the recommendation on the item is to authorize the city manager to execute a water service agreement with the County of Ventura in lieu of annexation for purposes of providing water for fire protection at the proposed building to be constructed at Saticoy Park for the Saticoy Boys and Girls Club. With Council Member Morehouse having pulled the item, it was decided to go forward with the public hearing segment before airing comment.
Public Communications – Ed Summers, President Elect of the Boys and Girls Club as well as Chair of the Expansion Committee, recommended adoption of the alternative recommendation. It was explained that under LAFCO guidelines this is an existing park with waterlines and irrigation equipment, noting also that there is a Boys and Girls Club facility already there with water. It was the speaker’s claim that this is not an extension of water, saying that “an extension” under LAFCO guidelines is to “take further geographically the extension of lines,” but that there is no movement of the existing lines for the proposed facility. The only alteration to the existing system is to add a parallel line to be used for a new fire sprinkler installation.
Council Member Morehouse, citing the Cortese-Knox-Hertzsberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 which governs annexations and extensions of service beyond the area, still wished to find a way to help the Boys and Girls Club go forward without being caught in the dilemma of complicated bureaucracy and extra fees. It was the councilman’s desire to have clarification from the staff on the alternate that has been provided, and how this will proceed without” tripping things up” in the future.
Shauna Epstein, General Manager of city water, said that the alternative measure is county-specific, addressing insignificant expansions within the county such as the addition of a fire line. City Attorney Calonne elaborated further, saying that our existing ordinance requires a water service agreement, meaning that an ordinance amendment would need to be forthcoming with specific language which says that when not providing new or extended service, service to a county agency could be provided without a water service agreement. To date city ordinances have not been friendly toward extending service out of the district, but it was felt that this is an unusual situation taking a few weeks to put together, but that the city manager would have the authority to implement policy pending Council’s final vote on the ordinance change.
The mayor clarified that city attorney was speaking not to the ordinance proposal itself, but to the alternative recommendation from the staff report.
Council Member Morehouse hesitated to say this allows “an exception to the rule,” but an effort to proceed in a smooth manner. The councilman decided to move in favor of adopting the alternative, adding specific language as suggested by the city attorney, making it clear that no geographic expansion of lines is being contemplated. A second was obtained.
Council Member Brennan wanted to reiterate, saying that this is a common sense situation, and that it should be clear the city has been given an option area.
Deputy Mayor Tracy brought forward the thought that when water is served out of the county, other specific rules apply, governing in the case of industrial buildings certain line dimensions, and perhaps by not by making ordinance adjustments too quickly, it might be preferable to “punt this” and let the council assess the action in more detail.
Council Member Andrews brought up the LAFCO connection to the problem, saying that concerns over treating this as a waiver could produce extenuating circumstances with the county. In speaking to the motion, it was asked of Staff to comment on what may or not be inconsistent with LAFCO’s intent.
City Attorney Calonne narrowed Mr. Andrews' question down to whether or not this is providing new or expanded service, agreeing ultimately (and slowly) that Council may safely assume that it is not. Mayor Fulton added the lawyerly, “de minimis change” to the language.
City Manager Cole said that once the current issue is resolved the larger issue can be scheduled for in-depth review, hoping to alleviate one or more of the deputy mayor’s concerns.
Council Member Brennan thought that to review the larger issue at some future date would be a wise move, saying that a related circumstance may not have been taken up within memory during his tenure within this body. The councilman further stated at great length in an obvious appeal to the deputy mayor to show some sympathy for the applicant’s plight … that to delay schedule and thereby increase costs to the Boys and Girls Club would somehow not be the right thing to do, especially if claiming to be a supporter of such a worthy organization.
[Comment] This solidifies the what’s, when’s and why-fore’s over the issue of America’s growing “de minimis” confidence in government. Picture these kinds of eggshell steps being taken by a council person to rush a project through where the project’s executive director is not himself a former council member. Listen closely for these kinds of cottonmouth words being spoken next time when the applicant is the owner of a tattoo parlor. Not too long though … you wouldn’t want to turn to stone. Listen to the long and measured delay between Neal’s flat assertion that “Nothing is extended or new” and Ariel’s wimped-out response, clearly wanting to say, “Shut up! You're almost there! Can’t you leave well enough alone?” And to think that this almost made it through on consent. Of course the issue here is de minimis at its core, but how many others would receive this kind of wink-and-nod treatment at the hands of our honorable elected officials? It’s not de-lovely. The answer is “de none.” [Ed.]
Council Member Weir expressed her understanding of the goal, which is to get the Boys and Girls Club facility finished while having the same water line plus a new dedicated line for fire. Going through LAFCO requires several more months, or so it was said, along with thousands of dollars extra only to achieve the same result. Ariel said that this issue is on LAFCO’s agenda for November 16. “We need to talk about extensions of service for industrial uses,” the councilwoman said, giving a nod to Deputy Mayor Tracy’s comment, prompting the suggestion that the motion maker and seconder agree to the inclusion of language directing Staff to return to the larger issue for more comprehensive study.
[Comment] Quick rewind ~~ “All that time and money spent going through […ahem] CalAFCO’s state mandates, simply to achieve the same result!” Ri-i-i-ight. How about this ~~ “All that money just handed over to the city in bringing my second unit up to code, when all it really needs is a coat of paint!” See any similarity? Neither did the councilwoman until the words were already out. This, Mr. and Ms. Ventura, is cronyism at work in your government. This is also the person who wants to be re-elected to your city council for another four years. Is it any wonder, then, that Libertarian extremists are of the opinion that anarchy as a form of government would work just as well? [Ed.]
Council Member Monahan said that he was line with the deputy mayor. What was wanted was a date certain for agendizing the issue.
Deputy Mayor Tracy reminded both Council and Staff that it was not he who pulled the item, asking whether or not the alternative recommendation applies only to this specific county property. Staff replied that this would apply to county property in general. The deputy mayor went further in asking whether or not the county could at some future date re-use the property while also adding a pool.
The city manager replied, “Not without the city manager’s approval,” indicating further that such approval would not be given unless the finding could be made that the proposed change could meet the “de minimis” qualification, which of course, it could not.
Seeing the difficulty that was being had in grasping the concept, Mr. Cole tried to clarify further by saying that this would apply anywhere in the county, but only in instances where the county would need to add a new water line dedicated to the installation of a fire sprinkler system that is capable of serving a 4000 square foot cinder block building – the identical conditions under which this ordinance is to be written.
Council Member Monahan said there was a statement that caught his curiosity – “Are we taking the existing service and serving the new facility from the existing building.” Shauna replied, “Yes we are. The service is with the county and we’ve never had an account with the Boys and Girls Club,” which at present feeds off the county service. Mr. Monahan said, That’s a little odd, but …”
“Extra-territorial water discussions have always been a little odd,” quipped the mayor. Then reviewing the motion, the mayor said approval is being sought for adopting the alternative measure and direct staff to schedule the general topic for discussion in the near future. The stipulation was added by Mr. Morehouse that for LAFCO’s benefit, “no new or extended service” should appear. The mayor t asked for a roll call vote: All members voted yes and the measure passed with unanimous approval.
Agenda Item No. 5 – Council Advisory Group Appointment. Council Member Monahan, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, said on October 6 at a meeting of the appointments committee with Council Members Weir and Andrews present, action was taken to recommend to the council the appointment of Gene Avilis to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for a term that will expire on June 30th 2013. Action was taken to recommend to the council the appointment of Kevin Clorici to the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee for a term that will expire on May 11th 2014.
Public Communications – Carroll Dean Williams asked for slides to be displayed ostensibly showing Kevin and Peter Brown attending a meeting with Mr. Brown whispering in Mr. Clorici’s ear. It was said that Mr. Clorici’s “employment record is dismal,” having worked for only one year at the San Diego Union Tribune. It was also alleged that the appointment candidate has exchanged prior information of one type or another with city officials including City Manager Cole.
Brian Rencher expressed support for the Avilis appointment, while opposing the Clorici appointment. It was said that that the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee appointment candidate, while working as a Ventura Star Reporter, declined to report on water rate increases, and has tended to avoid the hard issues. The Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP) has seen fit to hire Parking Advisory Candidate Clorici with the speaker strongly intimating that the candidate is not qualified to fill an executive position, saying further that he would not want to see public office being filled at public expense via this quid-pro-quo appointment of a candidate that the speaker had earlier characterized as “untrustworthy.”
Council Communications – Council Member Weir explained that the downtown parking committee subdivides its jurisdictions according to “spots”, and one of those spots is to take recommendations from the DVP Board, and it was the board that recommended interviewing Mr. Clorici to fill a very specific position.
Council Member Andrews advanced the motion to accept the appointment committee’s recommendation. With a second having been received, the mayor asked for a roll call vote on the proposal – all members voted yes and the measure passed with unanimous approval.
Council Member Monahan invited Mr. Clorici to address the council. The speaker said that he felt it his task to represent the many voices of stakeholders in the downtown area, feeling it his duty to educate those that he represents as to the benefits obtained from the parking meter program.
Agenda Item No. 6 – Preliminary Screening for Proposed Amendment to the General Plan. Staff members assembled before the council included Dave Ward of community development and Jared Rosenstein from the planning office, who then led off with the presentation titled, “Rosal Lane GPA Preliminary Screening, Proj-1912.
County of Ventura Zoning, showing: Zoning for the parcel is listed under county zoning R2-7000 [Minimum lot size 7000 ft.(sq.)] located under the Saticoy Area Land Use [designation of residential-to-family] included in the Saticoy and Wells Community Plan [Within Southeast neighborhood]
General Plan Land Use Designation, showing: Current designation of NM (Neighborhood-Medium) Change to Industry-Commerce [Commerce Partition designation consistent with existing retail establishment facing L.A Ave.]
Evaluation Factors, showing: (1) County of Ventura GPA/Zone Change Prescreen – (2) City’s extraterritorial water service policy – (3) Job generating businesses
Planning Commission Recommendations, showing: (1) Access [Recommendation is that access be reconfigured and brought in from the south] – (2) Buffer [Recommendation is that a buffer zone be created to screen off adjacent residential] – (3) Medium density residential replacement [Recommendation for Study {Replace existing “Neighborhood-Medium” with “Commerce and Industry” designations}]
Recommendation, showing: “Approve the draft resolution approving the processing of an amendment to the General Plan changing the land use designation from Neighborhood Medium (NM) to Commerce (C) and Industry (I)”
Council Communications – Council Member Morehouse wished to underscore the understanding that this would be to approve a preliminary screening, not to approve a change in land use or zoning. Staff said that this is a process of applying for entitlement, meaning that the rest of the analysis including Environmental Impact, (EIR) public outreach, all the functions of the planning commission and eventually approval by Council will take place prior to final enactment of the ordinance. A directive will need to be included to evaluate potential loss of Neighborhood Medium land use and the role it plays in maintaining General Plan land use balance. With the county now in possession of funds to do their area plan, additional coordination with the county will be a critical factor in going forward.
Council Member Brennan indicated that there was a concern when this was before the County Board of Supervisors over the loss of housing, and yet with the go-ahead being given and with a vote of 5-0, the preliminary nature of the process was understood and fully taken into account.
Public Communications – Lisa Woodburn, as an affiliate of Jensen Design and Survey, stood in representing the property owners. It was the speaker’s desire to express support for Staff’s recommendation as it applies to the prescreening process, it was said that further work will need to be undertaken with the county with its issues in getting the Saticoy Area Plan amended along with water policy issues which may need to be revisited. Alternative low income housing needs assessments may also require study and implementation in order for the current measure to be validated.
Teri Hernandez, a Saticoy Neighborhood Council member, said that the prescreening process will help everyone get their “ducks in order” saying also that Saticoy is not in need of additional low income housing. It was felt that the job creation potential outweighs other needs in the area.Council Communications – Council Member Morehouse advanced the motion that Council approve Staff’s recommendations A and B for the Preliminary Screen to Amend the General Plan. Moved and seconded.
Council Member Andrews asked Staff to verify that the parcel under consideration is not adjacent to city property, but is perhaps one parcel removed. Staff concurred with this assessment by the councilman, saying that the nearest city property is roughly two blocks distant. The Councilman pointed out that were it to have been adjacent, annexation would have been available as a solution to the water distribution problem. It was further stated that there are intentions and plans for the city to seek further annexation of property within the city’s sphere of influence
Council Member Weir raised the issue of a buffer area, asking whether that would be a masonry wall or some other type of screening medium. [Staff replied.]
[Comment] Indeed Staff did reply, trying to sound respectful in handling the councilwoman’s one everlastingly guileless and pedestrian focus in issue after issue – “Will it be beautiful?” Did the councilwoman not hear the exhortations of council members and speakers alike not to get too far ahead of ourselves? Furthermore, why is this person not as forthrightly concerned with the current decay in Americans’ standard of living? Here’s why ~ because this is a person for whom time has stood still – anti-union, anti-worker, anti-safety and anti-anything that is prefaced by the word “public.” Stand-up denials fall flat. “Behold, the Unseen Hand,” and its giant slap in the face delivered to 99% of Americans, is as intellectually out of step with facts on the ground as the councilperson’s concern for beauty in a project that is still without arms and legs. Concerns should be running very high over the possibility of Ms. Weir being re-elected to this body for another 4-year term. [Ed.]
The mayor asked that a roll call vote be taken on the staff’s recommendations – all members voted yes and the measure passed with unanimous approval.
Agenda Item No. 7 – Request for Policy Consideration - Out of State Travel. Council Member Andrews explained that the request for out-of-state travel arises because of a special meeting that the councilman wishes to attend in Washington D.C., to discuss municipal bonds and the potential for removing the tax exemption. There will also be a state league Webinar in the coming week which has been designed to gather information such that comparison can be made to the priorities of others at the state level. City Manager Cole and Staff had also been a included in the loop.
Council Member Brennan said that the efforts are appreciated, but that reminding may be needed toward the fact that all council members are allotted finite amounts for out-of-state travel each year, and that final OK has been given for the first quarter. It was then learned that Council money will not be used in this instance. In the interest of full disclosure it was asked to reveal the source of the current funding, and discovery revealed that funding is as a result of soliciting sponsorships during the national league of cities meeting held here in Ventura. It was agreed that any overages to the sponsorship fund would be used for travel to distant cities in order to conduct League business.
Council Member Brennan advanced the motion to approve Mr. Andrews’ travel expense request. With a second obtained, the mayor asked that a roll call vote be taken – all members voted yes and the measure passed with unanimous approval.
Agenda Item No. 8 – Request for Policy Consideration - Creation of Legislative Committee. The mayor indicated his request to create a new standing committee. On background, the mayor said in a variety of conversations with both Council and the city manager, of the possibility of pursuing legislative advocacy at the state and federal level had been given consideration. Revenue sourcing, it was said, would be the main impetus and that proactive measures would be desirable in achieving these ends. City Manager Cole may wish to forward a contract on the issue of legislative advocacy. In preparation for that move, the mayor thought that the creation of a three-member Council subcommittee should be investigated.
Council Communications – Council Member Morehouse indicated that as a member of both VCOG and SCAG, the city’s standing relationship with those associations must be considered. It was thought there may be a degree of redundancy, and the further concern was raised over potential conflicts with the state bodies. The mayor rejoindered, saying, “Oh no, legislative issues will be in sync with the League.” It was stated further that the city’s legislative committee would more aptly deal with specific citywide issues.
Council Member Weir asked whether a particular staff person would be included. The mayor said “We haven’t gotten that far yet.” City Manager Cole explained that a part-time intern working out of the city manager’s office has taken on the role of a half-time professional to shoulder the burden on the legislative side, generally adding to the assistant city manager’s area of responsibility.
Council Member Monahan thought that the term “legislative advocacy” sounded like a fancy name for “lobbyist.” The mayor agreed. The councilman, in turn, noted that Ventura has done its share of lobbying in the past while reminding the mayor that it turned out to be a very expensive activity. Mr. Monahan said that “I am dead set against this,” the rationale being that we have elected officials in Washington that we can relate to at any time. It was said that money spent on this type of activity is wasteful and the issue should be put to rest. “We should learn from our past experiences, and we don’t need to do this.”
The mayor wished to remind Mr. Monahan that the creation of a council legislative committee is the issue before Council, not having to do with assigning the position. The councilman remained unmoved, saying that any council member is free to bring up any issue here on the dais, and that to do otherwise leads to coming up with backroom deals relating to policies not fully understood or agreed upon.
The mayor put forward the reminder that standing legislative committees are regulated by the Brown Act, and the recommendations only are to be made to Council. Mr. Monahan, in return, brought up the issue of funding.
The mayor said that if the issue is one focused on committee formation and not the advocate, then the funding shakes out as “more work for the city manager’s office,” as Mr. Cole just stated.
Public Communications – Brian Rencher took to the understanding that a legislative committee will advise the council, whereupon the council will vote. If it be the intent to have any council member such as Mr. Morehouse sitting on outside committees, whether it be VCOG or any other state committee, and that he bring forward the position of the Ventura City Council majority vote and not just the position of one individual, then the issue has merit and should be supported.
Deputy Mayor Tracy advanced a motion to adopt the requested action, while addressing stated concerns of others, acknowledging the need to fund the effort more fully as activities increase, but that coordinating these council efforts will result in sound and safe practice. A second was obtained.
Council Member Brennan pointed to the activities of a “city across the river” wherein aggressive legislative action has netted $20 million in the process with other gains still available. It was felt that the cohesiveness and focus on group policies was the overriding advantage, similar to the County Board of Supervisors approach, and that the requested action would have comparable merit at our level.
Council Member Monahan pointed the practice of not siding one way or the other on issues not voted upon [conflict of interest]. It was the councilman’s feeling that lobbying merely adds to the unsavory nature of government in the minds of many, and that the extension of the practice does not need to be brought down to our local level.
Protocols authorizing the mayor to sign letters in support of legislation without consulting the council exist currently, as was stated by the mayor, with the indication being that this is already an approved practice.
The mayor asked for a roll call vote to be taken on the requested action – the measure passed by the margin of 6-1 with Council Member Monahan casting the single no vote.