What’s The Rush? Why is There Not a Proper Report?
On Monday’s Agenda there are two verbal reports coming to Council. Thursday at 4:04, I sent an email requesting more information:
“Hi everyone,
Is there more information for the verbal reports?
Not sure what I am supposed to be voting on?
Please and thanks”
At the time of writing this I have not heard back from the Clerk’s Department nor head of council.
In my opinion, if there is time to enter a section on the agenda for a verbal report, there should be time to write a one page report on highlights. If this is not possible by the time the agenda is published then an amendment to the agenda can or should be added and updated by Monday at 12:00.
How and why is it ok for Verbal Reports to come to council and us be requested to make flash decisions without advanced warning or information- Let Alone Public Feedback?
For a councillor to raise an issue at the council chambers we must first enter a Notice of Motion at one meeting and then wait until the next meeting to discuss. Council members do not get a pass but administration is allowed this work around? For example, a councillor can enter an item Monday April 4th on the agenda but it can not be discussed with council until April 18th. The date of the last regular council meeting was March 21st so in practice, items councillors raise can take weeks to get resolved or discussed in chambers.
We/You deserve better.
Verbal reports from adminitration should only be used for last minute items that are minor and urgent. These two verbal reports are on the published agenda, therefore they are not last minute items.
This really comes down to TRANSPARENCY and I have advocated tirelessly for more and adequate transparency this entire term of council. It has been exhausting. If council is expected to vote on something we deserve to know ahead of time what we are walking into. This has nothing to do with not being able to think on my feet but everything to do with serving the members of the public to the best of my ability. How can I do that without the proper information and tools?
I believe this is an administrative privilege which should only be used when absolutely necessary. We should all want Council to have as much information as possible when it comes to making decisions and voting on matters, shouldn’t we?
Why the rush? Why no details?
It is not an Emergency when the agenda came out Thursday at 3:09…
There is still time for council to get an amendment and have it posted on the Town Website. That may not happen for this meeting coming up but hopefully this fall there are policies in place to prevent your elected officials from making decisions in the dark. I know where I would set the bar and it would mean giving the decision makers the information they need to make those decisions on the behalf of the people who pay our wages.
After all, I am working for you.
The Motions are Listed Below…. At Least One is a “hot topic”, the Other I have no Clue What is Being Discussed..
