HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic comments for the December 21st Council Meeting
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Please read my comments into the record.
Public Comments for the December 21st City Council Meeting
General Comments
I would like the City to reestablish the ability to virtually attend and participate in City meetings. There are people like me with various health issues and concerns that prevent in
person attendance without incurring significant risk. The arguments presented by City leadership, “it is too expensive” and “not enough participation” is just not the case. It is not
expensive given the annual price communicated by City leadership was less than $5000. “Not enough participation”, is a flawed and misdirected excuse. It is the job of City leadership
to expand public participation in any way possible. Virtual attendance must be in place and well communicated and participation will increase.
Agenda Item 4
I do not believe the city parking ordinances require change and certainly do not need nor do I support language that places unquestioned authority in a single individual, City Manager.
I also believe the primary motive of this ordinance change is to provide the structure needed for the implementation of paid parking/metered parking in the city. I am asking the Council
to stop this covert assault on the citizens of Cape Canaveral. Let all citizens know, in a formal way, information mailers, flyers at our local businesses or other effective bulk notification
processes what you are doing. Get comprehensive and conclusive data that shows the desires of the majority of citizens. Please stop this puzzle pieces tactic of implementing the “initiatives”
generated behind the closed doors of City Hall. This ordinance change is not needed. Please explain what this change provides that is not already available.
Agenda Item 9
There is nothing new or unique in the management of Cape Canaveral Council meetings. In general, any discussion, any city that desires to streamline administrative functions like meetings
ultimately end up with the same targets:
• Limit public comment during high attendance meetings
• Limit Council Member discussion
• Limit repetition of praise and agreement between Councilmembers
• Adhere to the agenda order
• Establish time limits for agenda items
• Limit presentation/ceremonies
• Meet more than once a week
• Call for a ''point of order" after discussion has gone longer than 30 minutes to force vote or table the issue
• Increase use of City Council/citizen Committees to hear public comment
For citizens, a Council meeting is one of the few opportunities to hear and interact with our representatives to understand their positions. We depend on council members being well versed
on the topics, have an understanding of citizen desires and be prepared to make an informed decision. This should not be assigned an arbitrary time limit.
Public comment should be expanded, not limited.
Council members should be incentivized to properly prepare for the discussions and the incentive should be that they are paid for the time used to prepare. The current salary structure
does not provide an acceptable compensation for time required to do their duties satisfactorily.
There should be willingness to have more than one meeting a month when the volume and complexities of the agenda warrants it.
A 30 minute point of order seems reasonable and Council Members wanting additional discussion can vote to table the issue to allow additional research.
Agenda Item 10
In addition to the recommendations included in this agenda item I would like to see language that requires public approval, a vote, for any single City expenditure exceeding a certain
amount, say $750,000.
I would also like the City to consider participatory budgeting. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process through which community members directly decide how to spend part of a
public budget. Participatory Budgeting will help directly involve residents in the budgeting and City-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure
that the City’s Plans reflect the priorities of Cape Canaveral residents.
Agenda Item 13
Thank you for placing my concern about the inadequate compensation of the Mayor and Council on this month’s agenda. I would also like to request a review of City Employee’s salaries,
with the exception of leadership, be done. I don’t believe the current compensation of about 30 percent of the city’s employees is reflective of the present market conditions and the
previous escalation percentages have failed to provide some of our city employees a living wage. My choice of words, living wage is important. Living wage is the amount an individual
in a household must earn to support his or herself and their family. The concept of the arbitrary and outdated standard escalation percent, around 3 percent, simply ensures many of
our city’s employees fall behind more every year.
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