Here's an incredibly early (12:58 is when I started it) and cynical stream-of-consciousness post on the council meeting to be held later today....I'll preface it by saying I'm up this late because I'm wracking my brain on the bi-location problem I'm facing this week (and yes Doug – I feel I've aged at least 5 years over this silly problem!) 

Item 2 – Appointment of Dana Ray to Council:  Cool!  I have every reason to like and trust her, but as the spouse of a Family Practice Physician, I think in the long run she'll be way too busy with her real job to throughly read-and-research the material she's expected to know every two weeks.  I'll “roll with her” as an interim appointee, but I really hope she doesn't run for re-election in 2011.  I've already decided I'll run again in 2011, and quite frankly, I think Dr. Ray can serve the community better as a   Family Practice Doc (like my wife - Debra Jackson – who is easily 10-times-smarter than me, by the way!!!)...It would be great to see Dana build a Family Practice beyond the CHIC clinic, and thrive here in Decatur for the long-run. 

Item 4 – The fence Ordinance...This will be an interesting one.  Frequent contributor Robert Maulding and I have differing opinions on this one...As a member of the Plan Commission, I voted to forward the issue to the City Council with recommendation for approval.  Robert commented on this blog that we (the Plan Commission) “Rubber Stamped” City Staff's material.  I don't think we did, and I sincerely hope the council reads the plan commission's meeting minutes before they vote.  We [the Plan Commission] are an advisory commission, and as such our verbalized deliberations are recorded and -in theory- reviewed and considered by the City Council...FWIW as a member of the Plan Commission, I think I made it pretty clear I'm OK with the razor-wire/allowing-the-city-to-determine-the-property-front part of the ordinance, but leery of the $25-permit (for-exactly-what?) part...Essentially I'm 2/3of-the-way OK with it...

In a total non-sequitur (and this Latin's for you, Kris!) - At Millikin's graduation yesterday, I was amused to  see that both Marcia Phillips, and Dan Caulkin's had banners for Council on the wall of the Decatur Civic Center Arena...What's up with that?   Were they soooo sure they'd win, they paid for their signs to be up after the election????  Ouch!
 

I have kind of the same feeling about Dr. Ray.  The work she's done in the community is impressive - no doubt about that.  I had never heard of her before her selection but her resume is awesome.  I'm okay with her selection.  But being a doctor and a minister AND a city council member all at the same time?  Maybe she's a great multi-tasker with never ending amounts of energy, but it seems like her plate is going to be awful full. At any rate, I wish her the best. 

Kris

I feel as though the Council as a whole lacks a direction. Not one of the members has proposed anything. The discussions are dull and lack a point of view. This is not what we elected these folks for.  Jerry Dawson has shown some personality, but as leaders they all need to assert themselves more. Adam Brown was at the CONO meeting and offered nothing to the discussion about the fence ordinance. Julie Moore-Wolfe has at best been present. If this is leadership then I am clearly confused. If these Council members intend to show why they were elected, they need to do it soon. Merely showing up and saying YES to whatever the staff puts in front of them is a bit of a let down. I feel as though so much could be accomplished, but if we don't see some signs of life soon we may need to encourage them to work on something, anything!  I would like to see a discussion on an ordinance Licensing Landlord, protecting tenants, neighbors and strengthening ways to stop problem multi-family apartment buildings. How about discussing raising fines on other crimes, or establishing a way to confront the number of houses that are empty. Developing a City based neighborhood meeting schedule, or help with individual neighborhood problems?   We had an election that was clearly against ideas that the ChangeDecatur group had, by electing the folks who were not in that group we have ended up with a Council that appears to stand for very little and has very little to say.  Dr. Ray needs to be the leader that so many hope she can be, not beholding to those that put her on the Council and standing up for the people.  So far this Council has shown very few signs of life and are not earning the few dollars they are being paid.

I'm writing without having seen tonights meeting yet - so I won't say anything about it - but I want to add I have heard that Dr Ray is all she is cracked up to be as far as kindness, compassion and smarts and straight forwardness and honesty.   I don't know her - I just heard that from someone I trust who does know her.

I agree with you Robert as to what we need.  But I'm very obtimistic regarding Mayor McElroy on neighborhood issues.  He has already suggested the storing evidence in OKO - whether it will work or not I don't know - but I appreciate that he's looking that way.  The presence of the police in that area would really be helpful.  Just imagine an Edward St that was comfortably bikeable or walkable from NWRAPs or Lincoln Park to DMH maybe we could even get some Dr's to want to live in big beautiful old houses in some of my area...  I also heard Mayor McElroys speech at the Community Leaders Breakfast (on WSOY I couldn't go this time) where he again confirmed his commitment to addressing neighborhood problems and again at the speech given to the ministers in the Sunday's paper.  I don't doubt his commitment - I think we need to let them get their sea legs... Also,  I don't think the election was against all the ideas of Change Decatur but I do think there was a backlash from the court challenges.  To fix the problem in our neighborhoods we need help from the entire community - not just our areas - so I'm hoping the focus may have changed. 

I haven't seen tonights meeting yet...

Sue

I only got to watch the first 45 minutes of the meeting last night and Robert is right, this is quiet bunch - for now anyway.  But they're all new, most of them anyway, and they're still learning the ropes.  They haven't voted on a controversial or super complex issue yet.  Most of it has been routine stuff.  When we get to the police space needs, the water issues, landlord licensing, then there will probably be a lot more discussion.  I think we're all so used to the last group, it seems weird to see new people on our television screens sitting on those seats.  It's going to take a while for the public to the change, just as much as the council members. 

From what I saw of Dr. Ray, she seems like a very thoughtful person.  I think she'll do just fine, if first impressions mean anything.

Kris

                                                                                             So is this fence permit a done deal? 

Well I have read the press release several more times and it is done deal.  What amazes me is the fact that a council member Brown  sat in a CONO meeting in which this was brought up by City Staff for feedback.  After 20 minutes or so of discussion and questions as to what this permit does and doesn't do council person Brown didn't even bring any of it up.  With as many questions raised as there were at the CONO meeting this ordinance should of went to discussion.  It was even said in the meeting that it was nice to see the council represented and hoped he would take the information back to the council for discussion.  I believe its actions just like this that make caring citizens feel alienated by our leaders.  Next caring citizens end up staying home on election day because it really doesn't matter who is elected the game remains the same.  Very disappointing to say the least.  Why did the City even bring it up if there was not going follow up on the feedback?

Yes it is a done deal!   For better or worse. 

I Tried!

I know Robert!

I just think it was passed awful fast. Who in town even knew it was coming unless you were at the CONO meeting?  It was so fast I wonder how many groups got to take this back to the neighborhoods to get their input.  I just think if your going to bring something up for input you get input, it all happened way to fast.  I do appreciate the behind the scene work Adam Brown did in lowering the cost of this permit which is $10.00 instead of $25.  The senior council members should of researched this more with the public.

The fence deal isn't nearly as bad as the Nelson Park golf course closing and possible development - development that I might add, has been planned and discussed without any public input thus far.  1,000 people signed a petition, a rally has been held, numerous letters to the editor have been written to keep the golf course open, and not one person that I've talked to supports the park board's decision but:  http://herald-review.com/articles/2009/05/21/news/local/1041317.txt

Kris

I bet with Hickory Golf Course flooded and closed they wish they had the revenue from Nelson, but they would never tell us that.  I drove around Hickory and thought heck their is the new lake its already started. I said that jokingly I don't think we need a new lake.

What can be done to get our leaders to listen to the people? Are we that stupid in their eyes?  At least with the council we get to see the meetings. Does the park district hold open meetings like the City does? 

How do we find out what has been discussed is their an open information act that would allow us to read the conversations? 

I vote for a new lake to be constructed just north of my neighborhood in the Westlawn Ave. area.  There's plenty of water and natural ravines.  It would be gorgeous and within bicycling distance from my house! 

Fairview Park floods bad too, making it impossible to get to the swimming pool.  Now that Nelson's swimming pool has been closed, awaiting a condo, gambling casino, or Lord knows what, to be built in its place, when Fairview floods  we're left with no options.

I'd like to read the minutes from the Park Board meetings too. 

You all need to listen to todays(5/21) pod cast of Byer's and Co!   Mr. Byers needs to be better informed and more accurate, his comments about what he read right here were less than correct.     I am only trying to help make my neighborhood better, and his comments are not helping.  The Council should not change the format of the appearance of Citizens.  

I heard it Robert - you go up there alot  and you are up there for the right reasons -   I really did not take that against you.  I think the appearance of citizens change they are talking about is one where there would be more response to the citizen.   Without a lot of thought I think this could be really helpful.   I think going up there and bringing up problems and getting NO RESPONSE sucks.   I realize that staff or the manager can't always have the answer to every issue brought by a citizen but if they do I'd like to hear it and  I'd rather there was an answer even if it is "we will check into it and issue a press release later".  The people who participate in their government in my opinion are the ones who are being responsible citizens.  

Regarding the fence ordinance - I just read the Tribune,  Pat McDaniels write up of city council - haven't watched council yet - but I will - the weathers nice and it's gardening time!!   But to me it looks like the council handled it pretty good.   $10 is much better than $25 and if legally it makes it easier for them (city legal) to deal with problem fences that could be helpful.  Just cause it's not problem I"ve had doesn't mean someone else hasn't.   I wonder if these changes were brought on by the fence around car museum fence and the razor wire?  If Adam Brown got the fee lowered I commend him $10 is not bad and it makes the people get the rules which I can see the benefit to.  It also sounds like Jerry Dawson asked regarding the amount of time and was told 3 days so that is reasonable as well.  If it turns out not to be true then that would be the time to bring it up again.  I think the changes they made to ordinance itself were improvement for those of us that depend on our fences - they made it more lenient not less regarding corner lots and those in industrial areas or areas next to  multifamily housing.  

I'm very passionate about fences cause I just REALLY need MY space sometimes!!  But it sounds like they did good....  Also,  I believe city staff is really sincere in wanting to do what they can to help neighborhoods and listen our points of view.  I got patient detailed responses from every question I asked regarding this issue.  Some times they are in a no win situation cause the person wanting the fence and person hating the fence are BOTH residents and citizens!

Sue

Sue,

It wasn't  Adam Brown that  had suggested that the "fence permit fee" be lowered, it was Jerry Dawson that brought it up, not Brown. Brown only seconded the motion.

Dawson was also the only councilman that had concerns about the time period that property owners would have to wait for to get a permit from the city.

I believe Dawson will be the "sharpest tac" on the council, not Brown.

Pat McDaniel

"To answer your question regarding the fee, I did speak up, and Councilman Dawson and I spearheaded a movement to reduce the permitting fee to $10 (which passed unanimously). "
 

This is what Adam told me.  I emailed him and asked him why he didn't speak up.  He did speak up it just wasn't all at the meeting.  It was behind the scenes work I guess.  I still think it was very new to everyone and should of been discussed then voted on at the next meeting.  Adam was at the CONO meeting and did take all the concerns to Mgr. McCrady, which I did not know until I questioned Adam.  I think Adam is a sharp kid I don't have a problem with him anymore being so young.  Adam was the only council person at the CONO meeting so any info. that the council members had came from Adam which is exactly what he should of done.  Keep coming to the meetings Adam its the best way to stay connected.

If I were on the council I would of tabled this and discussed it further and gave the public time to give some input.  I would of contacted the fence installation companies and got their input also.  The fee is livable I agree I just don't know why it had to be passed so quickly and still not sure what it will accomplish?  Its over and I'm sure there will be an opportunity to improve the ordinance if needed.

Robert why do you listen to that garbage its nothing but sensationalism, its not journalism, its not investigative news, its entertainment.  I wouldn't get to worried about what Byers says about anything most listeners know he is just a shock jock!  You keep doing what your doing!

I will listen to the pod cast  reluctantly.

"I wonder if these changes were brought on by the fence around car museum fence and the razor wire? "

Sue in my humble opinion I say YES.  The thing that made me laugh was why didn't they put in an alarm system inside the normal fence?  Banks have valuables and they don't use razor wire.  If the museum doesn't work out it can always become a minimum security detention center.  The razor wire was not legal and should of been removed but it wasn't.  Matt wasn't your group involved in this somehow.  I may be wrong but didn't you think this was fishy case at one time?

I listened to the podcast yesterday evening.  I do think council members should be able to answer a question or concern during the appearance of citizens.  It really makes the council look unresponsive and apathetic when they just sit there.  I'm sure there's times when they'd like to be able to respond.  The mayor would have to make sure that it stayed somewhat civil and within reasonable time constraints - that's kind of the hard part.  There's been some knuckleheads go before the council but the vast majority of speakers are sincere and do their best.  Not all of us are natural born speakers.  

Byers used to make me mad when he talked about bloggers.  It's really unfair for him to paint us all as unproductive "kooky" members of society, living in our parent's basements.  Believe it or not, this isn't all I do all day.  I'm not a slouch or a dummy.

Everyone else who contributes to this blog on a regular basis is intelligent, productive and caring.  But, I still like his radio show and I agree with him more times than not.  He just gets paid to state his opinions; we don't.  And we alll have a little "rock star fantasy" in us.  There's nothing wrong with that!

Matt

I was meaning the fence with the razor wire not the ordinance.  I thought you had said something about it at one time.

As far as the sharpest I will wait  year before deciding I don't know them that well yet. 

Yeah, sorry Doug if I'm a bit terse and don't interpret your comments as intended... This being scheduled in two-places-at-once (and missing lunch...sounds silly, I know!) is definitely taking its toll on me and making me grumpy! :-) I'm looking forward to decompressing this weekend, and especially to next Friday (after which I'm at least no longer double-scheduled). And yup, I'm posting this at 12:14am - and just now beginning to relax into the weekend!!...I'm actually looking forward to mowing in the morning, planting flowers, and doing pretty much any other non-technical stuff!

 

Night – all!!!!