Open Government Moves Forward
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We had our first study session about the Open Government Ordinance tonight and we’re moving forward.
We are discussing the four items separately.
First, we will discuss how much it will cost to broadcast Council meetings on cable or online via streaming media. I’m not sure we’ll be able to fully fund the implementation of this feature in one budget year, but we can make a start.
Second, we are discussing how we can make every city document publicly available online. The Mayor suggested that City staff come back and give us a full run-down of what is already in the works to move in this direction, so that’s what we’ll do first. It’s always good to get a solid idea of where you are so you can better know where you are going.
Third, we will discuss the concept of a City Council blog to make all of our conversations and thoughts available for public viewing. This doesn’t really have much of a price tag, so we can talk about it later after we get back the time crunch of the budget talks.
Lastly, we will deal with the idea of campaign finance limits. This is better done after the elections so we aren’t changing the rules in midstream on candidates, so I think that’s what we’ll do.
Thanks to all for your words of encouragment on this. And thanks to Councilman Mitch Ruth for taking the lead to get this brought forward. We have a lot of conversations left to go, but we are finally headed in the right direction.
September 13th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
While I appreciate your comments, I don’t deserve the praise. I am only one small piece of the far bigger picture. Ideas that move forward to become actions are the product of the entire body, and rarely to the credit of just one person, or even just a few for that matter. For better or worse, blame and/or credit for every issue go to all of those who assisted in the process. To be fair, ours is a collaborative process and there are so many others who share in the credit, and oft times the blame as well. Without citizen input, city staff, boards, commissions, committees, consultants, and more, we would likely never get anything done. And what might be accomplished would be of far lesser value.
The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.
Henry David Thoreau
September 13th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Good points, and a perfect time for a shameless plug for all our boards and commissions. If anyone is interested in serving the community on a City board, commission or committe, there are lots of opportunities.
As Councilman Ruth said, we rely heavily on these smaller groups of citizens to delve into the minutia of issues and provide recommendations to the Council. It’s been said that there is great wisdom in having many advisors. That’s why we seek as much citizen input as we can.
So don’t be shy all of you! If you want to get involved, just name the issue that’s closest to your heart, whether it’s planning and growth, parks and recreation, etc.
Here is a link to the list of openings: http://www.ci.monroe.wa.us/citygov/boards_and_commissions/vacancies.php
Keep checking back as they frequently change.
Even though there is no opening right now, they open up frequently and quickly, so keep your “name in the hat” by exressing an interest to the mayor for the board that strikes your fancy.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:34 am
It was nice to finally see the proposed Ordinance get some discussion time at the last Study Session. I’ve been looking forward to hearing the Council’s discussion. Even for the time being, a potential quick fix to the first item would be to record the audio and have a podcast available each week on the City website. Our church does it every week.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
[…] After many, many months of prodding and pushing…then pushing some more…we are finally getting somewhere. Unfortunately the recordings are not very good quality and you can’t hear most speakers. But at least we’re trying, right? […]