Another evening in city hall. Fun, fun, fun.
When the mayor asked if anyone had any business from the floor yours truly approached the podium.
The annual National League of Cities conference in Washington DC is coming up. So, I was curious as to how many folks were going this year. This conference is an important one to attend but what I wanted to know is were we sending a busload of folks or just a car load. With many things being cut because of budget constraints maybe there could be a savings factor here.
The information given at the meeting was that it had not been determined how many were going and who they would be.
Sooooooo, I had some suggestions. Suggestion number one was for three folks to go: the mayor, city manager, and president of the council. The second suggestion was for six folks to go: the mayor, city manager and the senior rep from each ward..
At this point Mr Goode seemed to take exception to a member of the public making these suggestions. I had to inform him that the public is allowed to suggest how things are done.
Anyway, moving along, I also had some other ideas. One was that the participants should double up in the rooms, just like many businesses are now doing. If the three go, only two rooms would be needed, and if the six go only three rooms would be needed. Substantial cost savings.
Another suggestion I made was in reference to entertainment charges. It is thought that any meals bought for congressional members and/or their staff should be limited to $32 (the same amount that city employees are allowed for themselves). Last year 8 people went to dinner, including Cong Moore for a cost of approximately $200. That works out to $25 per person. Reasonable. Then we had the infamous $392 dinner that 2 members of the council went to with 2 senate staffers. That works out to almost $100 per person (including the booze charges). As a reminder, that was the dinner where for 4-5 months the 2 city council reps couldn't remember who they entertained, and the only way we got the right names was because of yours truly.
A side note: After making the above suggestions, Kevin Straub in all his wisdom decided to make a motion to restrict council members' travels. He had to be reminded, by me, that he can't do that. Off the cuff motions are not permitted. He has to have the item placed on the agenda. But of course he doesn't understand council procedures.
Anyway it will be interesting to see how many and which individuals go to this conference.
