01/29/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Special Council Minutes of 1/29/2008 the wording to correctly reflect Council's resolute where it was; so does Council's. intent, the new words do that. intent and his intent. His intent remains If the equivalent of three is still Council's Councilman Gareau said another meeting would be held in seven days, and the Mayor has ten days to sign legislation. This legislation does not contain an emergency clause, and the city has been operating under the current arrangement for many months. His pledge to the Mayor was to bring this to the floor with a special meeting. He did not anticipate that there were some semantics, perhaps substantive in nature, when the change was made. He wants to make sure this is done correctly with everybody on the same page and that everybody is achieving what they expect to achieve-including him, which he is not sure he is fully on the same page any more. What he is suggesting is to proceed with second reading and proceed with a third reading in seven days. The issue can be reviewed, and the proper language can be inserted to avoid the classic "haste makes waste." Mayor O'Grady said, understanding the clarification the Councilman has provided, he would say simply the administration waited for action on the part of the committee and on the part of Council with regard to reorganizing Engineering. We are underhanded; we are short an Assistant City Engineer at a time that the position is critical. If we are to begin the numerous projects, to include road projects, on time, now is the critical time that we need these people on staff. He would say that we need to have the reorganization of Engineering done if this city is to function properly. That's how serious we are at this point. We need the Assistant Engineer on. If we can act on the reorganization of Engineering and get that passed with the emergency today, and if holding 2007-156 doesn't complicate that per our Law Director, then he's satisfied with holding it. Councilman Gareau said that the Mayor should not allow the impression to exist that City Council would be responsible for any delay in that capacity. This legislation wasn't even introduced until December 18. It is in the same track as it was originally introduced. There is no delay. It is within its three readings zone, which would typically be done. He is trying to accommodate what's been requested. If it is amended, it jumps back to second reading and has to be passed under suspension. But Ordinance 2007-157 has been amended, and it can be passed at the next Council meeting. He is prepared to move forward and end his committee report. Council can pass the legislation, wait until next week, or pass Ordinance 2008-12. Councilman Barker said he did not feel seven more days would make a difference. The Assistant Engineer is on vacation. The Assistant Engineer we had has left. We will address this at the next Council meeting, and Mr. Gareau will probably call a committee meeting before caucus so it can be discussed. Finance Director Copfer suggested an emergency clause be added to Ordinance 2007-156 which would actually gain time since it would not wait 30 days to go into effect. Law Director Dubelko said he would not advise the emergency clause because he does not think he has received a reason that it's an emergency to be immediately necessary for the 6