Submitted to Councilmembers as “information only” November 13, 2021 Fellow Councilmembers, At Thursday’s meeting I will present the following six budget amendment items, most of whichh I have already discussed with Beth Anne and Dan Brewer on November 4. They total $41,204. $5,000 of which is a one-time expense and the remaining $36,204 to be … Continue reading “Proposed Budget Amendments 2021”
Better City Council Meetings
Two Times
Categories TransparencyWe have this Council Rule #19, which no other City has, where a Councilmember is limited to speaking more than twice on any issue… and no more than four minutes. It was introduced at this meeting, right after CM Martinelli and I were elected in November 2019 (Start at about 1:53): I hope you watch … Continue reading “Two Times”
Better City Council Meetings #3: Informality
Categories TransparencyThis is the third in a series of changes to our City Council Meetings I’d like to see. This particular change has to do with ‘relationships’ so it may well sound crankier than usual. It’s not meant to. Honest. 😀 But there is a thing that tends to happen with group meetings that is kinda … Continue reading “Better City Council Meetings #3: Informality”
OPMA violations for dummies
Categories TransparencyLeave a comment on OPMA violations for dummiesBetter City Council Meetings #2: Questions
Categories Transparency2 Comments on Better City Council Meetings #2: QuestionsThis is the second in a series of changes to our City Council Meetings I’d like to see. This particular change has to do with questions from Councilmembers about both how the government works and the legislation to be decided on at each meeting. This series began as a result of the especially problematic at … Continue reading “Better City Council Meetings #2: Questions”
Better City Council Meetings #1: Eliminate the presentations!
Categories Transparency2 Comments on Better City Council Meetings #1: Eliminate the presentations!This is the first in a series of changes to our City Council Meetings I’d like to see. This particular change has to do with managing the length of meetings, which was especially problematic at the August 6th ‘Budget Retreat’ (Video). And before we dive in, I don’t want to be a tease, but I … Continue reading “Better City Council Meetings #1: Eliminate the presentations!”
Half-Weekly Update: 07/01/2020
Categories Engagement, Neighborhoods, Policy, Transparency, Weekly Updates2 Comments on Half-Weekly Update: 07/01/2020Dear Applicant: There may be a quiz
Categories TransparencyLeave a comment on Dear Applicant: There may be a quizDear Applicant, Thank you for stepping up to serve the City Of Des Moines. Since you have applied for the open City Council position, you will be interviewed at the Thursday February 6 Study Session. According to the Agenda, I will have an opportunity to ask you one question. I can’t tell you what question … Continue reading “Dear Applicant: There may be a quiz”