04/15/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 4/15/2008 Councilman Mahoney, chairperson of the Recreation, Public Pazks & Buildings Committee: 1) The Recreation, Public Parks & Buildings Committee met on April 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. and ended at approximately 9:45 p.m. In attendance were committee members Mahoney, Jones, and Ryan; Council President Kennedy and Council Members Barker, Orlowski, Gazeau and Kearney; Law Director Dubelko, Finance Director Copfer, Safety Director Thomas, Service Director Limpert, Human Resources Director Farver, Planning Director Wenger and Community Life Services Director Dailey. On the agenda was the Recreation Plan proposed by the city administration. After some brief opening comments, the plan was presented by Planning Director Wenger with the capable audio- visual talents of Finance Director Copfer. The presentation lasted 40 minutes. He felt it was extremely well organized and professionally done and would echo the comments of Ms. Copfer that we aze very fortunate to have Ms. Wenger as our Planning Director. After the presentation, questions and comments were presented by members of the committee and then Council was invited to ask questions and add comments as well. After that, members of the public were invited to present comments and questions. During that time, the debate and questions raised were spirited and pointed. Although he did not have comments from the public in terms of how the meeting was conducted and in specific to the request that comments and questions be limited to three minutes, he noted that about 30 or 40 people came to the podium and posed their comments and questions. Prior to setting an agenda or establishing some limits, he consulted Title III, Chapter 121 of the ordinances, specifically 121.01 the Rules of Council, paragraph 2, wherein the provision reads: "Persons desiring to be heard by a committee of Council on any matter then under consideration may, by the consent of such committee, be given an opportunity to be heard thereon for a period of time not to exceed five minutes." Taking that provision into account, he asked people in attendance to limit their comments or questions to three minutes. By doing so, we were able to effectively double the number of people who were able to present their thoughts to Council and to the administration. Had the full five minutes that is normally given at a Council meeting been utilized, we might only have heard from about 15 or 20 people.. His goal and pazamount ream for the three minute limit was to allow the greatest number of people to address the committee so that their concerns could be made public to both Council and the administration. Another committee meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Apri124. A i~ UIE~TC1~~+CIFATIQN Lee Charboneau, 5021 Columbia Road, spoke about concerns with Ordinance 2008-44, noting that it was said the search warrant isn't going to go into premises. But on page 16 of the amendment, it states the property maintenance officers may, upon receiving express consent from the owner or the occupant, enter upon the premises, buildings, or any accessory structures. It is of special concern to him as he has an 18 year old handicapped daughter who might let an inspector into the home. On page 19, it states that a voluntary payment of a fine shall not be deemed a formal admission of guilt but shall constitute acknowledgement of the validity of the real property citation. He asked whether voluntary payment of a fine isn't asking for a donation. Who is going to voluntarily pay a fine? Another concern is that the appeals process has been eliminated 9