Plank Seven
Tuesday Morning I asked for some help with information regarding the consent agenda. Tuesday evening at the City Commission meeting, several people raised similar points to mine. Thus, I think this is an issue on people's minds, not just mine. In other words, I cannot take all the credit for this plank in my dream platform.
The notion of a consent agenda needs to be re-worked. It is hard to make specific recommendations here because despite my efforts, and despite the efforts of those of you who researched this, I cannot find the legal basis for or origination of the consent agenda in the City of Great Falls.
If elected, I would propose two basic changes. First, I think that any rules regarding the consent agenda should be formally adopted and should clearly define according to objective criteria just what can go on the consent agenda. The last meeting's minutes and check drafts are fine; gifts for private companies are not.
Second, in the formally adopted rule, I would provide the ability for the public to get involved. It might read something like this: "The Consent Agenda is made up of routine day-to-day items that require Commission action. Items may be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion/vote by any Commissioner."The Consent Agenda is made up of routine day-to-day items that require Commission action. Items may be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion/vote by any Commissioner or Citizen."
(Planks one, two, three, four, five, and six)
2 comments:
When Should a Consent Agenda Not Be Used? (emphasis added)
The consent agenda practice ...places more responsibility upon members to prepare prior to the meeting.
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The pre-public comment/work commission meetings is where they decide what should go on a consent agenda right?
And isn't that where many things are supposedly discussed and hashed through to save time before the official vote in the public meeting?
The Agenda is divided into the following sections: Public Hearings, Old Business, New
Business, and Petitions and Communications. Under New Business is the Consent Agenda which
includes routine matters such as bid awards, setting of public hearing dates and standard contracts.
Any consent agenda item may be pulled for separate discussion and vote by any Commissioner.
The draft agenda is put together by the City Manager and staff. The agenda is completed by
the City Commission in an agenda meeting held prior to the regular Commission meeting. The general
schedule is as follows:
Monday, one week before the meeting: Staff submits agenda reports and supporting
information to the City Manager.
Tuesday before the meeting: City Manager conducts a staff meeting and discusses
each item submitted.
Wednesday before the meeting: City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Clerk meet
with Commission to review and modify the proposed
agenda.
Friday before the meeting: The agenda packets are put together and delivered to
each Commissioner.
This procedure is based on past practice and can be changed if the City Commission wishes.
Go look at work session minutes and see how often they discuss the consent agends
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