The right ideas for an open council
Greater citizen participation in city government and less behind-the-scenes decision-making might be in store for Yorba Linda, if a new Town Hall-type meeting process proves successful and previously closed meetings are opened to public scrutiny.
Both newly elected City Council members John Anderson and Jan Horton promised to initiate Town Hall meetings during their campaigns, and the first, dubbed a “Town Hall Gathering” by sponsor Anderson, was held recently, with Horton also in attendance.
The first assembly was a success, despite the small 48-person turnout, a majority of whom were Anderson and Horton campaign supporters, on the second day of the New Year, which also was the designated day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford.
Anderson, Horton and four top city management officials listened to citizen comments and fielded several questions from an alert audience obviously eager to explore ideas in a forum not limited by the strict rules for public comment during a formal council meeting.
Of course, greater citizen involvement from a wider range of participants is necessary for the long-term success of the gatherings. The meetings should be held in the Community Center and maybe other public buildings throughout the city to allow more participation.
One good suggestion is for all council members to attend, but be stationed at separate tables or sections of the room to avoid violating the state’s Ralph M. Brown Act.
Progress also might be made on opening the council’s ad hoc committee meetings to the public. Anderson was slated to propose at Tuesday’s council session that the city drop the “standing” and “ad hoc” titles and subject all council committees to the Brown Act.
The elected Yorba Linda Water District directors serve on five standing and three ad hoc committees, each of which follows an agenda at regularly scheduled meetings, allows public input and records and publishes minutes recounting discussions and actions.
Serious disputes regarding events at closed-door meetings of the council’s Town Center Ad Hoc Committee last year show the importance of opening all meetings to the public.
And residents certainly would have profited from observing the selection process used by Anderson and Mayor Allen Castellano when they forwarded the names of seven out of 22 contenders for the vacant council seat to the full council last month.
Citizens also will benefit from pledges made by Anderson and Horton to answer all signed e-mail--from supporters and critics alike--and a city plan to research the cost of streaming council meeting video on the Internet.
This new openness and responsiveness in city government will be a plus for all residents, no matter who they support at election-time.
A FINAL NOTE
Also at the first Town Hall Gathering, council members John Anderson and Jan Horton clarified pre-election statements that the city needs five new Planning Commissioners.
Anderson wants the current commissioners to resign, with the council reappointing two “for institutional knowledge” and selecting three new members for four-year terms. He noted, “The Planning Commission is out of touch with the city.”
Horton favors term limits for all council-appointed commissioners, similar to a 1996 voter-approved city ordinance capping council service at three four-year terms.
Planning Commissioners were criticized for approving new Town Center zoning rules at a single November 2005 meeting, which forced the eventually successful petition drive against the ordinances to be conducted during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday period.
Both newly elected City Council members John Anderson and Jan Horton promised to initiate Town Hall meetings during their campaigns, and the first, dubbed a “Town Hall Gathering” by sponsor Anderson, was held recently, with Horton also in attendance.
The first assembly was a success, despite the small 48-person turnout, a majority of whom were Anderson and Horton campaign supporters, on the second day of the New Year, which also was the designated day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford.
Anderson, Horton and four top city management officials listened to citizen comments and fielded several questions from an alert audience obviously eager to explore ideas in a forum not limited by the strict rules for public comment during a formal council meeting.
Of course, greater citizen involvement from a wider range of participants is necessary for the long-term success of the gatherings. The meetings should be held in the Community Center and maybe other public buildings throughout the city to allow more participation.
One good suggestion is for all council members to attend, but be stationed at separate tables or sections of the room to avoid violating the state’s Ralph M. Brown Act.
Progress also might be made on opening the council’s ad hoc committee meetings to the public. Anderson was slated to propose at Tuesday’s council session that the city drop the “standing” and “ad hoc” titles and subject all council committees to the Brown Act.
The elected Yorba Linda Water District directors serve on five standing and three ad hoc committees, each of which follows an agenda at regularly scheduled meetings, allows public input and records and publishes minutes recounting discussions and actions.
Serious disputes regarding events at closed-door meetings of the council’s Town Center Ad Hoc Committee last year show the importance of opening all meetings to the public.
And residents certainly would have profited from observing the selection process used by Anderson and Mayor Allen Castellano when they forwarded the names of seven out of 22 contenders for the vacant council seat to the full council last month.
Citizens also will benefit from pledges made by Anderson and Horton to answer all signed e-mail--from supporters and critics alike--and a city plan to research the cost of streaming council meeting video on the Internet.
This new openness and responsiveness in city government will be a plus for all residents, no matter who they support at election-time.
A FINAL NOTE
Also at the first Town Hall Gathering, council members John Anderson and Jan Horton clarified pre-election statements that the city needs five new Planning Commissioners.
Anderson wants the current commissioners to resign, with the council reappointing two “for institutional knowledge” and selecting three new members for four-year terms. He noted, “The Planning Commission is out of touch with the city.”
Horton favors term limits for all council-appointed commissioners, similar to a 1996 voter-approved city ordinance capping council service at three four-year terms.
Planning Commissioners were criticized for approving new Town Center zoning rules at a single November 2005 meeting, which forced the eventually successful petition drive against the ordinances to be conducted during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday period.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 AM
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