Play along, won’t you? Here’s how the game works, if Thuy Pham-Remmele makes a good point, she gets a point, if someone else makes a good point against her, she loses one. I’ll play the game for everything except the habitual drunkard issue, which will be part II of the post later this morning. Honestly, I don’t know if she wins or loses, but we’ll find out by the time I”m done with the post. Watch for the bk comments. [x]
GETTING STARTED
The meeting gets started at 6:35, early by council standards, but quorum appears questionable, so I think they had to wait for people to get there. Mark Clear, Council President is in the chair.
Roll Call: Mayor is absent. Compton (excused), Maniaci, Pham-Remmele and Solomon (Should be excused, not sure the clerk noted that.)
Bridget Maniaci and Thuy Pham Remmele wander in late. [THUY SCORE = -1]
AMATEUR HOUR
Oh, this is always painful when the new council president and pro tem are in charge of a meeting and try to make it go as smoothly as possible. There’s always glitches, I’ll try to be kind.
Lauren Cnare, the Pro Tem is chief motion maker for the evening, she moves to suspend the rules to take items out of order and to introduce items from the floor, that motion passes.
Cnare says there are not petitions or communications.
Clear notes there is no early public comment.
Cnare tried to make the motion for the consent agenda, Clear interrupts her and says they need to suspend the rules to take up that motion early because it is not 6:45 yet. They suspend the rule, but I wasn’t clear what the motion was or who made it, it seemed like the chair just declared it without objection and the motion was to “suspend the rules”, apparently, all of them.
Cnare explains that the consent agenda is that they would pass everything on the agenda as noted with the exception of items that have registrants, items that need an extra-ordinary vote and those items separated by alders. She notes:
– 1 through 14 are public hearing items
– 15 (Dean Brasser 5 year contract) should be new business and be referred
– 16 (Mark Olinger temporary extension of 5 year contract) there is a correction, there should be a referral to BOE.
– 17 (David Dryer “5 year” contract) is a confirmation hearing.
– 18 (citizen appointments), 46 (budget amendment for Park St. Streetscape), 49 (Sycamore budget amendment), 51 (another budget amendment for streets), 92 (Water Utility Budget amendment for Eastside) are extramajority items
– 112 (Streets budget amendment for Hughes Place) should not referred to Board of Estimates, it should be Board of Public Works
– 21 (habitual drunkard) is separated and there is a substitute,
– 94 (quarterly tax payments) should be a referral to December 14, 2010 but there are speakers
– 108 ($385,000 of CDBG funds for CDA for senior housing) should be referred to CDBG as well
– 123 (Greenbush neighborhood plan) withdrawn to be reintroduced 7/20
– 124 )Overture comfort resolution) refer to CCOC
Tim Bruer says 108 and 124 should be added to consent agenda. Um, yeah, cuz they are “items for referral without debate” looks like the old guy is finally catching on to this whole thing.
Satya Rhodes-Conway notes that item 16 says they are acting on it tonight, adoption under suspension of the rules.
Pham-Remmele wanders in, 10 minutes late. [THUY SCORE = -1, already deducted a point for this. Tho, I’m tempted to take another point off for her grand entrance.]
Cnare had started to inform the chair that there were speakers on the items, and she was cut off earlier.
Rhodes-Conway raises her hand to get attention to inform the chair Cnare has additional information.
Cnare says there are speakers on items 21 (separated), 94 (separated) and 3 – 6 (public hearings).
Confusion reigns. They figure out what they are trying to do.
Pham Remmele apologizes for being late, says there was an emergency in her district, there was a body found, she had a constituent that was very concerned, [-1 for combination of grand (late) entrance and for making a production about why she was late. The woman is rarely on time and always has an excuse about a constituent in dire need, its getting old. Her husband should get them to leave earlier when he drives her to the meetings. THUY SCORE = -2]
Pham-Remmele says that there was a list of items she asked to be excluded, did you get it? She apologizes again, says there was an emergency in district 20. The items she wants excluded are items
– 16 Olinger provisional contract expansion
– 17 Dryer contract
– 18 and 19 both recommendations for citizen and alder appointments
– 50, $470,000 from Department of Energy
– Budget items 46, 49, 51, they are items that require 15 votes so would like them not on consent agenda.
[+1 for chutzpah for talking about items when everyone just wants to go home. THUY SCORE = -1]
Clear clarifies that she wants items 16, 17, 18, 19, not 21, 46, 49, 50 and 51 Note, she does want item 51, it will be relevant later, when she loses another point.x
She says she will reads them again, she has them orderly so she will say it slowly, 16, 17, 18, 19, 50, 46, 49, 51 [-1 for being obnoxious about this. THUY SCORE = -2]
Clear FINALLY has them vote on the balance of the agenda, the consent agenda is adopted and they move on to public hearings.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Miraculously, its still not 6:45.
Cnare points out it is not 6:45, seems confused about what to do.
Clear says they already “suspended the rules”, apparently all of them?
Cnare move item one.
Clear opens the public hearing on items 1 & 2, closes the public hearing and recesses them.
Cnare moves items 3 – 14 and with an assist says that she moves adoption of the report of the ALRC with its recommendations.
Clear opens the public hearings en masse, says there is no registrants, then notes on items 3 – 6 there are people available to answer questions on Walgreens items, council has no questions for the registrants, he closes the public hearings, there is no discussion, motion passes on a voice vote.
OLINGER PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT
Pham-Remmele separated this item.
Pham-Remmele asks “is it my turn now?” [-1 for not knowing how the council meeting works after more than three years, or acting dumb, I’m not sure which.]
Cnare moves approval.
Pham-Remmele says she wants to bring up a question, she is very sorry Mr. Wirtz is not here, she got notice of this item at noon on Thursday, Friday there was fireworks and it was a long weekend, she did not get an answer, is someone from human resources here?
Michael May points out that Michael Lipski from Human Resources is here.
Pham-Remmele says that last year a constituent asked about the Olinger contract, that was in October and she asked Wirtz and somehow her question was not answered until December, she asked again and he excused himself by saying he missed my email, contract was provisional, now extended again, they are looking for replacement since last fall and now its July and they are still looking and we are extending the contract, she says it is nothing against Olinger, she is impressed with his service, but this is an important position, this kind of practice is difficult for the taxpayer to understand, this time he is being extended, doesn’t’ seem definite time period, just until position is filled so she wanted to be clear, why are we handling a very important position this way and is there anything to put on it to make sure we are seriously looking and this is not an indefinite situation. [+1 for asking a good question and making this point. -1 for the babble about the tax payer not understanding. THUY SCORE = -2.]
Lipski says it was posted, applications have been received, they are screening the applications and moving into interviews, hopes to make offer in next few months. When they do a provisional appointment, the HR Director can do that for 6 months and it can only be extended by action of council, the contract expired in Jan, this is 6 months, that is why asking now, recruiting and in next few months hope to have new director.
Pham-Remmele says she doesn’t want to base her vote on hope, when council approve this does it mean in the future if not filled then automatically it just get extended cux from this point on, this remove all limits on how long his contract can be continued, without need for further action by the council. [+1 for catching that it is indefinite. THUY SCORE = -1]
Clear asks if they can put a time limit on extension.
Lipski says there is no time limit on the extension, the only reason to extend is if the position is not not filled, they would report if they don’t find an acceptable candidate.
Pham-Remmele says that is where problem is, hope and change, change and hope difficult to vote on that, [-1 for the theatrics] just to refresh their memory, she had lunch with the Mayor in June 2007, they talked about filing the position that is now in two position filled by Clingan and Cooley, they said they hoped to fill the position by October and it dragged through another year and they told me don’t worry, [+1 for making a good point and learning from the past.] that’s hope and that makes it difficult to make this agreement, don’t depend on hope, if represents her district, she can’t make decisions on hope, that is why excluded so publicly get the answer, apology to Olinger, nothing personal. [+1 for making it clear this isn’t about Olinger but the process] She complains the Mayor is not here to explain and Wirtz not here. [-1 for being whiny without a point. THUY SCORE = -1]
Clear says he can’t speak for the Mayor and won’t even try. [BAH HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
Pham Remmele says “I hope no one is blaming me for wasting our time.” [-1 for theatrics and martyrdom. THUY SCORE = -2]
Michael Schumacher asks if we could put a time limit like 6 month or a year to satisfy the alder concerns?
Clear directs the question to the city attorney.
Michael May says that if they are not successful in finding someone, they would have another resolution before them, he suggests they ask Lipski what a reasonable time would be.
Lipski says that they hope to be done in a few months and they will know if there will be an offer, in 6 months they could give you an update at that time.
Schumacher makes an amendment to make it for a six month period. He says that limit is important, this is standard in private sector, this is a high level position, we want good employees, and he wants to make clear that the tone and tenor could reflect negatively on Olinger, that wasn’t his intent, he has served the city well, we are just safeguarding ourselves to revisit in 6 months, he asks the city attorney to craft suggested language. [Have council members become so lazy they can’t make their own motions now?]
May suggests they amend the resolved clause to add language at end that says “or for an additional 6 months, whichever comes first.”
Clear asks if that is what Schumacher wanted.
Schumacher says yes.
Steve King objects to it being friendly. [Its totally unclear why he did that, except to be obnoxious because they are annoyed with Pham-Remmele. Seemed petty.]
Pham Remmele compliments May for coming up with the language so fast, that is what written on my draft, that is very friendly and acceptable thank you Mr. May. [-1 for not just making the motion. THUY SCORE = -3]
No further discussion, King audibly votes no. [+1 for being successful in making a point and changing the outcome. THUY SCORE = -2]
DRYER CONIFRMATION HEARING
Clear announces the item and asks for discussion.
Pham-Remmele says nothing. [-1 for separating and then not saying anything after being asked by the chair if there is any discussion. THUY SCORE = -3]
Motion passes.
COUNCIL SHOWDOWN
Pham-Remmele says she asked for #17 to be excluded, she thought she should be given a chance.
Clear says they had a motion and he asked for discussion.
Pham-Remmele says that her light was on. [+1 for sticking up for herself and not letting it go. THUY SCORE = -2]
Cnare moves reconsideration.
Clear can’t tell what the vote is, so there is a roll call. It did sound close and unclear.
ROLL CALL
AYE: Clear, Cnare, Palm, Pham-Remmele, Rummel, Sanborn, Schumacher, Verveer
NO: Eagon, Kerr, King, Maniaci, Rhodes-Conway, Schmidt, Skidmore, Bidar-Sielaff, Bruer, Claussius
ABSENT: Compton, Solomon
Motion to reconsider fails, the council votes to not let her speak. [+2 because that was just wrong and rude. I know she’s obnoxious and hard to take, but they should have given her the benefit of the doubt and let her speak on this item, especially since Clear who made the initial ruling voted to let her speak, indicating he might have made a mistake. THUY SCORE = 0.]
Clear attempts to move on to item 18, citizen committee appointments.
Pham-Remmele won’t let it go, she says that Clear ignored her when she pushed her button, that is very blatant, I said in beginning I wanted to discuss it, I asked for it to be excluded, no reason to have it excluded, if ignore light, what should I do, at the beginning asked for 17 to be excluded.
Cnare notes they are on item 18.
Clear says that item 17 was reconsidered and rejected.
Pham-Remmele asks “What is going on Mr. president?” [+1 for standing up for herself, -1 for not understanding Robert’s Rules of Order. THUY SCORE = 0]
Clear apologizes for missing the light, he says it was not clear she wished to speak, but her colleagues did not accept the motion.
Pham-Remmele says she asked for it to be separated and you ignored me and I have to put up with your mistake.
Clear says if he missed the light it was my mistake, but can’t recall that item at this point.
Cnare against says they are on item 18.
Pham-Remmele wants to be real clear that when light is on, should she stand up and wave a flag? [-1 for not knowing when to let it go. THUY SCORE = -1]x
Clear tells her if he doesn’t call on her to make whatever demonstration she feels is necessary to get his attention.
Pham-Remmele asks if they want her to be quiet for the rest of the session. [-1 for really not getting it. She should have been ruled out of order about three times by now. THUY SCORE = -2]
MOVING ON, CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES, ITEM 18
Pham-Remmele says one person the mayor recommended for the Sustainable Design Committee requires a 2/3 vote, if she did not exclude on consent agenda they wouldn’t discuss, she doesn’t know the person person or what agenda they have, this process has been broken. A man who lives in Roscoe Ill that serve on our committee and I wonder in our City of Madison if we don’t have enough people to serve that we need an expert from Illinois, rationale is that this is his future home, loves it and comes here daily, don’t know if he drives or bikes [-1 for bike comment, nice absurdity.] but for me to not pull out that example like that, our appointment process if very flawed, this is not personal, but bring it to the attention, she will abstain until broken process [+1 for stealing the “broken process fixed” comment from the mayor. -2 for abstaining instead of making a proposal to change things. Whining and abstaining will change nothing, she can’t expect to be able to complain and not be part of the solution and have everyone else do the work she wants done.] is fixed, that is all I have to say, nothing against anyone in particular. This process should be to serve pleasure of mayor, or why not find somewhere[??????????], not open to people out of state and put on consent agenda and move through without someone saying something, she apologizes for wasting the time, [-1 for wasting time and knowing she is doing it and not being productive] can’t approve the process, so record as abstaining. [THUY SCORE = -5]
Chris Schmidt says that explanation was sufficient to satisfy someone out of town, he will be coming back, happy to accept that, please vote yes.
Cnare says that he is one of the leaders in the community and this is a specific position, a member of the AIA and its clear from rationale he is a long-term Madison resident and intends to return, this is not out of the ordinary, glad reminded that we should read these closely , he’s extraordinary well qualified, this is a temporary relocation, it shouldn’t be denied. [I wonder, if this wasn’t a member of the business community if they would be bending over backwards like this.]
[+1 to Thuy, I’m pretty sure this is the first time we ever appointed someone who lived out of state, I thought out of county was unusual. Slippery. Slope. She has a point. THUY SCORE = -4]
Here’s the description:
2/3 vote required:
*GARRICK R. MAINE, 7486 Joy Lane, Roscoe, IL 61073 – reappoint to a two-year term to the position of American Institute of Architects. First Appointed 7-5-2005.
TERM EXPIRES: 6-30-2012Currently serving on: Sustainable City Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Public Sector
Rationale: I’ve been employed as an architect with Flad Architects for 31 years and a resident of Madison,
until my recent marriage, since 1984. I currently live with my wife in her residence in Roscoe, Illinois but
commute daily to Madison with the intent of relocating back to Madison. I’ve been Flad’s leading
sustainable design advocate since 1998. I’ve been the firm’s Principal Liaison with the U.S. Green
Building Council since 1994 and served as LEED Project Administrator on several LEED projects dating
back to 1998. As a Board Member and current Board Chair of the Milwaukee-based, non-profit WasteCap
Resource Solutions (formerly WasteCap Wisconsin), I’ve helped develop its construction waste
management program and recently released online construction waste tracking tool. I was a member of
the original ad hoc Mayor’s Energy Task Force in 2003 and a charter member of the Sustainable Design &
Energy Committee in 2005.As an architect I’ve committed my professional career to advancing the tenets of sustainable design. The
environmental challenges we all face are very much a consequence of how things are made, how
buildings are built, and how landscapes are used. As a past and future resident of Madison, I know what a
special city it is. It is with a great sense of responsibility and respect for this city that I accepted a role on
the SD&E Committee and it has been my honor to serve. Madison remains my “home” and daily
destination regardless of my resident address and I wish to continue my role on the Committee.
Motion passes on a voice vote with on Pham-Remmele appearing to vote no, but its always hard to tell, thus, my penchant for calling “Roll Call”.
ALDER APPOINTMENT
Cnare moves approval.
Pham-Remmele abstains until the process is fixed.
Passes on a voice vote.
[-1 for failing to make the real point. Sanborn shouldn’t be appointed to committees if he can’t seem to show up to them. THUY SCORE = -5]
PARK STREET STREETSCAPE
Pham-Remmele has a question before a vote, they are amending $200K from project 41 to new Park St streetscape improvement project, no maps to explain, just one sheet of paper, is someone available to answer? [+1 she has a point, the stuff the council gets from engineering is minimal, and while I don’t think they should print it, I think they should have it available on the internet. THUY SCORE = -4.]
Mike Daily is there because Rob Phillips is out.
Daily says that South Street is not ready to go and this was more pressing need so they can move money to do it now, timing right cuz of other improvements in the area, this would allow us to do South Park Street as early as next year, if move the money now can design and bid streetscape work this year.
Pham Remmele says 15 votes and straight to consent agenda, a lot of money here, it just breezes through an no one has concerns, what will happen to South Street, now moving the money to do new Park streetscape and early next year hope have money to do South Street. [+1 for having a point in there somewhere about how this money gets moved around with no one saying a word. -1 for not pointing out that some districts get the money, others don’t. THUY SCORE = -4]
Daily says South St not off the table, they determined this was more pressing need, easier to move money now while bidding prices were good.
Pham-Remmele says its neat to do it now, but she was never told about it.
Clear calls on “Assistant city engineer Bruer”
Pham-Remmnele says “oh please don’t speak too long” [-1 for being a hypocrite, +1 for calling Bruer on his shit. THUY SCORE = -4]
Bruer says its aldermanic courtesy, which he has reminded her of that repeatedly, to call the alder of the district if have a question, they can respond if have many questions, it will save time, but this gave me an opportunity and I’m going to take it . . . . . . . . and he does . . . . . . . and he babbles . . . . . . ancient history, pandering . . . . not sure what the point is . . .. . .. . . . . . .
Pham-Remmele says that if she had a dime for every second you talk I’d be rich. [+1 for being dishing it back at him.]. She thanks him for the explanation then says she’d like the hotline number to reach him so she can get a response. [+1 for making a very good point, its hard to get Bruer to call you back. THUY SCORE = -2.] She just wanted an explanation, thank you because you were more knowledgeable than staff, [-1, that was a low blow to a dude filling in for someone else. THUY SCORE -3.]. She says that she wanted to know what happened to the project 41, South Street, the money appropriated will go back to budget next year, this is a very important item, its 15 votes, if no one asks it sinks into the hole and people have no clue, they should make it clear.
Clear asks if there is a question.
Dean Brasser, the comptroller speaks, but I missed it. He was just explaining how it worked in the budget.
Schumacher, says on the last ordinance, he forgot to mention Steve Brist, he’s sparing you reconsideration, and realizes he is technically out of order.
Motion passes on a voice vote, 1 abstention.
SYCAMORE RECONSTRUCTION
Cnare moves approval.
Pham-Remmele says thanks for noticing me. [-1 for making me roll my eyes. THUY SCORE = -4]
Clear says he won’t miss her again.
Pham-Remmele says that they are moving $700K to fund a new Sycamore Ave project and we are taking $300K from G.O. borrowing and $400K to do new project, seems wonderful, it was taken away from Lien Rd , what happens to Lien Road, also would appreciate if at all possible to give map or report from the department so I could explain how the money is spent, not opposition, but clarification, not vote if not sure what voting for or against.
Daily says they are moving $400K for Lien Rd, money that was saved during the project, project moved forward, it was under budget, Park Side Drive project the neighborhood doesn’t want the street (Claussius nods), neighborhood not in support so the project is dead, money left over is available, Sycamore has been kicking around a long time, on table before Parkside, now that funding available, they decided to pool it and move it for Sycamore, he says can’t answer map portion, not our policy with budget amendments in the past.
Brasser says this is different than the last one, there is savings and a project abandoned, no need to re-budget in future years, they are reprogramming available money.
Claussius says that echo Bruer comments, would appreciate that if concerns in my district, contact me, give me a phone call, can’t see taking up council time, he agrees with what acting engineer said, its an unimproved roadway, old township gravel road asphalted over, no curb and gutter, roadway in horrible shape, what is urgent is almost a mini thoroughfare to access Hyvee grocery story, unless coming from E Washington. On Parkside Drive extension, businesses and CC Riders were adamant against it, it is fortunate they had the money, to put in project desperately needed, whole east side will benefit, appreciates opportunity to talk about it, assume any alder with question please contact me first and I can answer questions.
Schumacher supports it, he says his comment he is going to make is educational to the casual viewer, not the city channel junkies, some might get the wrong impression, the Alder from 20th district gives impression she is a fiscal watchdog, and the rest of us don’t know. These things get handled at Board of Estimates and Board of Public Works and she has not showed up to those meetings to air concerns, this is a good and typical project, he just want people to be mindful of that and not have the council portrayed as a spending council when we are just dealing the a political agenda.
Pham-Remmele says she doesn’t have the privilege to serve on 12 committees like Schumacher, she is not a political junkie, you somehow said that we are spending without consideration, she didn’t comment on that, many times questions are asked at committees and commission and the public is not aware of that, meetings are hard to get to, many time people testify and her intention, as a plain citizen, don’t got through loops and gaps, if something is simple and clear, spending tax money, its for the good of city. She was thankful she could hear from Bruer about what is happening in the area, grateful Claussius explained, when clear, no reason not to support it, she is speaking for people out there not spending day and night, this is for the public good, nothing wrong to ask and if perform duties with transparency, she wants to make it clear, asks questions cuz people want questions asked, not cuz don’t have time, or doesn’t prepare or doesn’t do her homework, she poured through every line, but information did not get to her til afternoon Friday, only over weekend had chance to look at it, there was a parade and picnic, coulcn’t get answers, citizens have right to know, so please an thank you and she has no problem supporting this, clearly with explanation its for the good of people, thank you alder Claussius.
[-1 for not pointing out that there is no process to prioritize who/which district gets the extra money. +1 for calling Schumacher on putting words in her mouth. -1 for not asking why we are doing this for Hyvee and why it wasn’t dealt with in the development process. -1 for trying to claim she is a plain citizen, she’s an elected official and should act like one. THUY SCORE = -6]
Cnare calls the question.
There are no others in the queue and it passes unanimously on a voice vote, with Clear noting that.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MONEY
Pham-Remmele says this is her last item she asked to be excluded, its the $470,600 from Department of Energy supposedly for training and educating 18 people, that $26,000 per person for two years, its a very simple description, looks wonderful, good jobs for city, tremendous, nothing anywhere explaining whether or not the proposition is anything with potential employers, we spend money to train people, a lot of money, do we think at the end of the road are there potential employers committed for the jobs, she is not allowed to serve on CDBG, she didn’t get paperwork and report, wants public to understand, money from DOE but also taxpayer money. [-1 for whining about not being on CDBG. THUY SCORE = -7]
Clear says there is a speaker to answer questions, he is in support, available to answer questions.
Kaleem Caire from the Urban League goes up the podium.
Pham-Remmele welcomes him back to town, he thanks her, she asks if there are any potential employers who are going to make a commitment to hire people after two years, this is almost half a million dollars.
Caire says there are several partners, Workforce development board, Project Home, Start and the union.
Holy feedback . . . . he has to take his blackberry and other items out of his pocket to make it stop. I’ve never seen that before.
Caire says the cost of it is allowing the folks who reach the end of the training to get paid for the work as apprentice, that is much of the cost, they manage their members, majority on the salaries for the training.
Pham-Remmele asks if there are commitments?
Caire says not commitments from employers, but from the union that helps them get work, absolutely.
Pham-Remmele says she wants to see it open to diverse population of people.
Caire says that it is getting better in workforce program, Department of Energy is looking at it as a model to replicate nationally, Urban League has 106 affiliates, workforce development this is larger part of what urban League is doing, they can replicate elsewhere.
Pham-Remmele thanks him for explaining and she’d like a copy of the proposal.
Bill Clingan, Community Development Director says that item 48, is $600K straight to employers, this is the employment and training part to go with it, he says the $7.2M second part is loan fund is for residents and commercial properties to get loans from the city and that will create a demand for folks that come out of the training to work the jobs. [Where’s Larry?]
Pham-Remmele says she is glad to hear that.
Rhodes-Conway says that she has spoken to the applicant prior to submitting the application, she could be on a steering committee, won’t be receiving compensation, not going to recuse herself from the vote, but in case it might impact the decision she thought she should let people know. It’s great this is moving forward, part of energy efficiency and block gnat money, Clingan said spending money in various ways, important in cities to commit some of money to directly benefit people in our community, not just the facilities, but move into community so businesses can improve efficiency and our people get the jobs, important, intention of the ARRA, get people into jobs and this item here moves us in that direction and help us insure benefit is felt throughout the community, encourages support, eager to have project go forward.
ITEM 51
Even though they went through that whole long thing in the beginning and she carefully went through which items she wanted removed, multiple times, she now claims she didn’t ask for item 51 to be separated. [-2]
Item 51 passes on a voice vote.
QUARTERLY TAX PAYMENTS
[Phiil Salkin rears is head . . . I knew he was behind this, this isn’t for the homeowners, it for the commercial property owners, which he is about to admit.]
Phil Salkin, from the Realtors Association says taht they support this, thanks the Mayor and Gawenda and city staff for bringing it forward and most of you for supporting it. This should be a budget initiative, including the $40K for the software. He has vetted it with his with members, we believe that community in general will benefit from flexibility, he talked to residential real estate, and there will be some who benefit, but frankly that will be minor, but they are certainly there, however on commercial side benefits would be substantial. He talked to housing, restaurant and hospitality industries, they agree that for the first payment first quarter of year could be beneficial, please support it and make it a budget initiative.
Bridget Maniaci asks if they are allowing for opt out from the 4 time payment.
Dave Gawenda, the city treasurer, says he’s not sure what you mean, always ability to pay whole bill in December.
Maniaci asks if twice a year is an option.
Gawenda says no, 4 times, not 2 times
The item is referred to December.
INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE FLOOR/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cnare introduces a resolution to partner with Dane County voluntarily on county-wide radio system that would allow, but not mandate full interoperability.
Clear points out the sponsors: Mayor, Skimore, Bruer, Eagon, Clear [da’ boyz] I think it was referred to Board of Estimates and PSRB, but I missed it.
Cnare has a second resolution to reallocate youth funds, she and Solomon are sponsors, refer to Board of Estimates.
Maniaci says she is working on the City Channel Ad Hoc Committee (when she shows up) and that for 2009 the council meetings cost $31,634 with 99.75 hours of work that is $5.28 a minute we’re on the floor.
Cnare moves adjournment.
[FINAL THUY SCORE = -9]
Moral of the story, quit while you are ahead and less whining, more action. Ok to take up time, but use it wisely.
Sustainability expert commutes daily 120 miles? Unless he does bike or bus, that ain’t very sustainable.