Thank God Bill Hosch is back on council. Right off the bat, he caught a $3,000 expense that wasn’t authorized. Even if you have never watched a council meeting, I urge you in the strongest terms NOT to miss Monday night’s. There was much discussion of the problems that routinely confront the city, and you will get a good sense of councilmember’s stances on them.
Terri Wollenberg, who objected to the Storm Water Ordinance and the issuing of building permits, which are responsible for the flooding we experience in rain years, was told she was “grandstanding.” New City Administrator, Lisa Kotter, informed her she may be in violation of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Which brings up questions very basic to democracy—can elected officials take actions that disregard (even sabotage) some citizen’s rights and not expect blowback? Is Council’s function to protect all citizens’ rights or promote development? Level the playing field?
During last year’s Storm Water Ordinance discussion, I encouraged Council to take Cascade’s hilly topography into consideration, but the 80-20 (80% hard surface and 20% green space) was retained. I am certain that is not workable in some hilly spots.
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To make matters worse, the builder may have reneged on his drainage responsibilities. We will find out next Monday night if that is the case. There will be a meeting to discuss future project priorities. That’s also why I introduced an ordinance to enable the city to claw back TIF, Façade Reimbursement or any other city money a company might be getting.
Since last year I have been urging council to install the technology to allow the audience to see back up documents—especially maps, because we never know what they are talking about. Mr. Delaney has finally gotten on board with doing it. Question is: should somebody so slow on the democratic uptake be representing us?
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