HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18/2017 Item 2, Brooks
Gardner, Erica
From: Lea Brooks \[ ]
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2017 8:37 AM
To: Lichtig, Katie <klichtig@slocity.org>
Cc: Department Heads <DepartmentHeads@slocity.org>; Goodwin, Heather <hgoodwin@slocity.org>; Christian, Kevin
<kchristian@slocity.org>; Steck, Courtney <csteck@slocity.org>
Subject: Re: April 17 City Council Meeting
Much appreciated. We had a group of Safe Routes to School parents planning to attend the 4 p.m. session, but
will not be doing so because public comment is not being accepted.
Lea
On Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 8:15 AM, Lichtig, Katie <klichtig@slocity.org> wrote:
We’ll take a look to see if there is something to be done to better inform the community about the plan.
BCC: CC
Katie
Katie Lichtig
City Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
klichtig@slocity.org
From: Lea Brooks \[mailto: ]
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2017 5:59 PM
To: Lichtig, Katie <klichtig@slocity.org>
Cc: Department Heads <DepartmentHeads@slocity.org>; Goodwin, Heather <hgoodwin@slocity.org>; Christian, Kevin
<kchristian@slocity.org>; Steck, Courtney <csteck@slocity.org>
Subject: Re: April 17 City Council Meeting
Thanks for your response, but my opinion is that this strategy will discourage public participation in the
budget process. I encourage you to post an explanation on the city's website ASAP so it's clear that even
though the staff report is on the afternoon agenda, public comments will not be accepted until 8 at the earliest
and possibly closer to 9. Otherwise, you're going to have some really upset constituents who are expecting to
comment in a reasonable time frame. Directing the public to submit comments via email is easier for all
parties, but does not replace participation in a public forum.
Lea
1
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 14, 2017, at 2:57 PM, Lichtig, Katie <klichtig@slocity.org> wrote:
Lea –
I recognize that you addressed your comments to the council but I thought it might be helpful to
address them since staff has been the primary architect to the “split session.” The short answer
is it is anticipated that the Council will hear public comment on Strategic Budget Direction after
the RHIP item at the 6 p.m. session. The 4 p.m. session will include only the staff presentation.
As you know we have a mandate via the elections code to hear the RHIP matter within a
certain timeframe which is out of the control of the City. In order to hear both the RHIP and
th
Strategic Budget Direction item in a timely way on the 18 it was suggested and implemented
to do the “split session”. Within the council rules the Strategic Budget Direction item could be
the first item to be heard at the 6 p.m. session if via council consensus they wanted to move it
forward.
While this approach is certainly unique staff thought it might provide the best chance for each
item to be heard at a reasonable time in the evening and avoid taking up either item at a late
hour. In essence we were trying to balance the legal mandates and encouraging participation.
Thanks for the question. It’s good to get the opportunity to share the details and thought
process behind the decision.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
BCC: CC
Katie
Katie Lichtig
City Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
2
klichtig@slocity.org
From: Lea Brooks \[ ]
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2017 11:19 AM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: April 17 City Council Meeting
Dear Mayor Harmon and City Council Members Rivoire, Pease, Christianson and Gomez:
I am seeking clarification on when you will accept public comments on the Strategic Budget
Direction and Major City Goal Work Programs for the 2017-19 Financial Plan on Tuesday's
agenda.
The budget is second on the 4 p.m. agenda and then continued on the 6 p.m. agenda after the
Rental Housing Inspection program. Best estimate is that the evening budget session won't start
until at least 8:30 p.m. and possibly later. This split schedule is very discouraging to public
participation.
Will you accept public comments during the 4 p.m. budget discussion so those who have
flexible schedules or can take time off work can comment then rather than wait to speak late at
night?
Thank you.
Lea Brooks
Bike SLO County
3