Council Organizational Meeting
The Organizational Meeting of the 'new' Oshkosh Common Council is 12:00 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall. Besides the seating of the new council, election of the Deputy Mayor and discussion of Council Rules, two additional items are up for discussion and action.
The first of the additional items is regarding the current "Council Member Statements" agenda item. As reported by The Northwestern, Acting City Attorney Lynn Lorenson has, on multiple occasions, advised us to be more specific with our agenda. I agree. The recommendations I will make during tomorrow's meeting are to:
The second additional agenda item is a proposal by Council Member Palmeri to create a Budget Committee, the specifics of which can be found here (page 2). This will be the second time Council Member Palmeri has introduced this proposal. You can read more about his proposal on his blog as well as what Miles Maguire had to say about it on his blog.
So, what are your thoughts? Should the "Council Member Statements" agenda item be altered? If so, how? Should we create a Budget Committee? I look forward to the discussion.
-Bryan
The first of the additional items is regarding the current "Council Member Statements" agenda item. As reported by The Northwestern, Acting City Attorney Lynn Lorenson has, on multiple occasions, advised us to be more specific with our agenda. I agree. The recommendations I will make during tomorrow's meeting are to:
- Change "Council Member Statements" to "Additional Staff and Council Member Statements and Discussion"
- Eliminate "Whatever Else is Pertinent and For the Good of the City"
- Add to the agenda "Additional Action Items"
The second additional agenda item is a proposal by Council Member Palmeri to create a Budget Committee, the specifics of which can be found here (page 2). This will be the second time Council Member Palmeri has introduced this proposal. You can read more about his proposal on his blog as well as what Miles Maguire had to say about it on his blog.
So, what are your thoughts? Should the "Council Member Statements" agenda item be altered? If so, how? Should we create a Budget Committee? I look forward to the discussion.
-Bryan
Labels: Budget, Council Meetings, Council Member Statements
posted by Bryan L. Bain at
4/14/2008 07:57:00 AM
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3 Comments:
Bryan, before you go to the next City Council meeting, may I suggest you check your dictionary to get the proper meaning of statement as opposed to discussion.
Do you plan on having a different meaning for the citizen and council members?
What would be so important that it couldn't be put on the next agenda for council action?
By
Unknown, at April 14, 2008 11:49 AM
Yes. The city needs a budget committee. Why wouldn't it need one?
The budget runs the city and without some oversight it's just a rush to approve it every year.
By
Anonymous, at April 15, 2008 6:48 AM
As about 85% of the entire operations budget is wages and benefits to city employees, I think we need some advanced oversite on this issue.
If only city administration is held accountable, it seems a bit unbalanced as they receive a similar package to those that belong to the union employees, and therefore negotiate and bring to you for approval.
I've read on another blog site that the Mayor of Green Bay (if what is written is correct) has taken a totally different approach to the wage/benefit/healthcare issue with his employees.
Although the city did make an arbitration stance this year, I believe some of what the GB Mayor plans to do might fit will in Oshkosh.
Heaven knows the economy is rocky now and predicted to be worse in the future. I would join the ranks of those that suggest the cost to the taxpayer for city employee healthcare is too out of balance. This area needs focused attention.
Thank you.
By
Anonymous, at April 16, 2008 2:18 PM
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