Council seeks to improve meetings

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

August 28, 2008 12:33 am

— OTTUMWA — When is an Ottumwa City Council meeting special? When is it a work session? Can discussion and voting occur in both meetings?
City leaders are studying the situation. This week’s agenda said the meeting was “Special Meeting No. 30” and the seventh and last item was “Discuss council procedures for special meetings.”
City Administrator Joe Helfenberger began by asking the council if they want a public forum at special meetings.
“Now [the forum] is done at the council meetings. Do we want that ability at a special meeting?” he said.
Councilman Gordon Aistrope said he didn’t recall having any comments from the public at a special meeting.
“But, if it’s an agenda item — maybe?” he said.
If citizens have made the trip to City Hall to speak to the council, then the council should let them, Councilman Mitch Niner said.
Councilman Keith Caviness said the council used to have work sessions in which members could discuss topics. As for the forum, the city has taken the “position that we don’t respond during the forum.
“If people submit stuff in writing, then we can respond in writing,” he said. “This gives us an opportunity to digest the information and an opportunity to respond.”
Aistrope said he favored an open council meeting and people could speak about non-agenda items.
Any citizen should have a chance to speak, according to Councilman Bob Meyers.
“[A citizen] doesn’t have to be at meeting to talk to a council person or city staff,” he added.
“People call constantly. Joe and I get a lot of calls,” Mayor Dale Uehling said. “Some have already talked to us when they come here. That’s redundant. If possible, citizens should approach staff ahead of time.”
Aistrope disagreed. If people “want to come and want to vent,” then they should be allowed to do so. But, if their concern isn’t an agenda item, then they can’t comment.
“We could add that language to allow the comments,” Helfenberger said.
Meyers said the language could include a clarification.
City Clerk Ann Cullinan said the council could change the ordinance and have a regular meeting every week.
“We used to discuss more at a work session and only occasionally vote,” Uehling said. “Now there’s more action in these meetings.”
Caviness would like work sessions.
“People thought things were pre-decided if they never heard any debate,” he said. “I think debate is important and some time with council members to discuss and debate would be valuable.”
Looking at this week’s agenda, Uehling said the first two items “needed action.” But, the golf course and fire department study were pulled from the agenda because all the information wasn’t ready yet.
“[The golf course and the fire department study] were discussion items,” the mayor said.
Helfenberger said the action items could be listed first on the agenda, then discussion items could follow.
“We welcome the public,” he added.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.