A WELL-INFORMED ELECTORATE IS THE BASIS OF A DEMOCRACY.
It is unfortunate that the Watonga City Clerk won't publish the minutes of City Council meetings on the city's website. When asked for a copy of the minutes following a meeting, she'll say they aren't available because they haven't been approved by City Council, which will happen at the next City Council meeting. Although the Watonga Republican covers the meetings, we also have to wait a week before that news is published.
Sometimes the meeting Agenda is published on-line, sometimes not. Ms. Nitzel's answer to that is "it only has to be posted on the office door." That's really not helpful to those who don't drive or otherwise can't get by her office or those who would like to print out a copy prior to the meeting.
Last night's agenda was light, but much discussion was had toward the end of the meeting about Code Enforcement. The City announced the hiring of Robert Daugherty as Code Enforcer in April. He then attended the required classes for certification. At a meeting several weeks later, when asked how the Code Enforcement was going, Mayor Loosen said Robert was "getting set up" and was waiting for letterhead and "stuff".
Last night, Councilman Hightower asked the Mayor how is our code enforcement going. Mayor Loosen answered something vague like "it's coming along." But when pressed, he didn't know much about how it is coming along. He didn't know many letters to property owners had been sent out. He first said he thought citations had been issued but when asked how many, he corrected himself and said "letters" had been sent out. He said he had just been handed some Certified Letters by Harriett Nitzel but didn't know how many there were. He finally acknowledged that NO citations for code enforcement have been issued. Andy Barrett asked if the Mayor could provide a report at the next meeting of how many letters have been sent, what properties have been taken care of either by the property owner or the City. There were questions about how much time Mr. Daugherty is required to do the job as Code Enforcer, how many hours per week, and can the job be done in that amount of time. Mr. Daugherty had told one City Councilman that his duties as a firefighter comes first and he hasn't had much time to devote to Code Enforcement. Clay acknowledged that Daugherty's firefighter duties were priority. Donnie Dunn, Marvin Schweigert and Mark Huff used to do Code Enforcement but have been relieved of those "duties" except to "help when they can." Marvin spoke up and said it is a "long process", and that it can be 15 to 20 days before anything is done after the initial warning letter is sent [NOTE: Robert Daugherty has been paid as Code Enforcer for over a month as of this date].
Then the question was raised as to whether or not Daugherty has the time to do the job as Code Enforcer, do we need to hire someone to do the clerical work, and why don't we hire a full-time enforcer. It was acknowledged that the City has plenty of Codes to enforce; they just aren't going through the steps to hold anyone accountable. [** read my next post about the history and current state of Code Enforcement here in Watonga, and what the process is supposed to be.] After much more discussion, Clay felt like the meeting had spent enough time on the subject and wanted to move on. Richard Hightower asked if the matter could be put on next meeting's agenda, and it was decided that the Fire Committee should meet on July 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss how the new Code Enforcer is doing and what needs to be done to get Code Enforcement done. Richard Hightower said he would stay on top of the subject and would be asking questions about Code Enforcement at future Council meetings.
Though a lot of time was spent discussing Code Enforcement, there were really only three action items on the Agenda other than the usual approval of prior minutes and claims. (1) The City approved construction of a custom circulation counter at the Watonga Library. The agenda listed the action item as "discussion and action to advertise" for bids to be opened at the on July 16 meeting. Gary Olsen mentioned that the item had been discussed at a previous meeting, so it is presumed that specifications and a construction plan have been presented and a request for bids published in the newspaper.
(2) Mary Larson appeared on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce to request the annual $5,000.00 support by the City to the Chamber. The Chamber of Commerce works diligently to promote the City of Watonga to try to get businesses and families to move here. The request was approved to be paid out of the City's General Fund since the WEDA (Watonga Economic Development Account) is dormant. Councilman GARY OLSEN was the only person who voted "no" to support the Chamber of Commerce.
(3) Marvin Schweigert requested approval to advertise for a street overlay project covering three areas: Prouty Street to Norwood Street west, Laing St. west on 7th St., and Laing St. east on A Street. The request was approved, the request for bids will be published for bids to be received by the August 6 City Council meeting.
Under Old/New Business, Bobby Spencer related that the Route 66 Museum would like to have the hospital's old "Emergency" sign. There was some discussion and the group agreed that the Museum would be a good place for it. The Mayor said "ok, then let's give it to them [the Museum]. But then there was a question as to whether or not a motion needed to be made to dispose of the sign (which is City property), and whether or not a motion COULD be made because the item was not on the Agenda as an action item. One would think that the Mayor would know the process of voting on something at City Council, but it took Richard Hightower and Bobby Spencer to point out that the item hadn't been listed as an action item on the Agenda and couldn't be voted on at this meeting. Dan Webber then said the matter could not be decided at this meeting because it was not listed as an action item, so it is to be put on the next meeting Agenda.
The City Council meeting was followed by the WEDA meeting (no business), and the Public Works Committee meeting. (1) The council approved a call for bids for the application of insulation at the Watonga Airport. (2) The council had received one (1) bid for painting of the interior walls at the Hospital for approximately $78,000.00, but rejected it and decided to publish another request for bids.
Finally, there was heated discussion about Airport manager RD Ernest allowing a fuel discount of thirty cents per gallon to individuals purchasing 1000 gallons or more. It was put forth on the Agenda as a "request to allow" a discount, but during the discussion it came out that Mr. Ernest had already given the discount because of the emergency nature of the situation. Mr. Ernest wanted the Council to authorize him, as airport manager, to give future discounts for purchases over 1000. That request was denied.
The Watonga Republican does a good job of reporting on City Council meetings. Harriette Nitzel's printed minutes are less complete but do set out the "yay" and "nay" votes of the Council. With this blog I am attempting to give the public another view of the meetings. The more information a person has, the better he/she can understand the issues and form their own opinion. The only way to get the entire picture of what goes on is to attend the City Council meetings, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Contrary to Harriette Nitzel's opinion, meetings of the various Committee of City Council are also open to the public. The next Fire Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Code Enforcement, BUT BE SURE AND CHECK THE DOOR AT CITY HALL in case the date changes or another Committee meeting is scheduled!
/Linda
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