Anyone affected by or interested in a decision should have the opportunity to participate in the process for making that decision. This can happen in several ways – community members may be provided with information, asked for their opinion, given the opportunity to make recommendations or, in some cases, be part of the actual decision-making process.
- INCREASED ENGAGEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS & HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATIONS: As mentioned earlier, I believe that our city's neighborhood associations have an important role to play in our city's vitality and quality of life, and I will continue working with (and encouraging them) to be effective advocates of their neighborhoods. In city decisions affecting specific neighborhoods, I'll personally ensure that the neighborhood associations and homeowners associations are aware of the proposed changes so that their voices can be heard at council meetings (either in person or by letter).
- REVIEW / CLARIFICATION OF EX PARTE GUIDANCE: As Mayor, I will work with city staff and the State of Iowa to provide clear directives to the council regarding the requirements and limitations of ex parte. Ex parte requirements are not a shield against public comment and dialogue....as I understand it, ex parte affects any quasi-judicial decision by council, where specific persons are impacted by certain kinds of council actions, rather than the whole community. Ex parte ensures that all parties involved have access to the same information - that no backroom discussions or private agreements are occurring...and that council members aren't just hearing "one side of the story". It's critical to present this information publicly, to assure the public that the resulting decision was made appropriately and with all the appropriate information. I support the concept of ex parte, and as Mayor will work to ensure that our elected officials, staff, and public understand and follow its provisions scrupulously. Also, I will advocate for state legislative clarification to lessen ex parte restrictions, as elected officials at the state and federal level are not held to these same requirements when dealing with quasi-judicial topics. This just doesn't seem fair for cities to be held to a stricter requirement.
- PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKER TIME: Currently, a public speaker has up to five minutes in public forum to speak on topics germane to city business. This means that speakers with detailed or lengthy matters feel rushed because they see the yellow marker (4 minutes) and know they have to wrap up. As Mayor, once the yellow flag is raised, I proposed pausing the speaker and ask if council desires a 3-minute extension, for a total of 8 minutes....and continuing to request that motion at every "one minute left" point thereafter. It should be common practice to grant additional time if the council so desires. As mayor, I'll work to normalize that practice, whether through the above approach or some other means.
- END THE PRACTICE OF PHONING IN FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS: City council members can choose to attend meetings via phone call, and vote by voice. This practice should end for several reasons. First, with a telephone connection, it is disruptive to council meetings when a councilor is disconnected or has to be dialed back in. Second, a councilor may not be able to see photos and other physical evidence if not in the council chambers; the same goes for body language and other non-verbal cues which are important parts of the communicative process. Finally, no legislative bodies simply do not allow similar actions -- the state legislature and Congress require physical presence in order to vote, and the City of Cedar Falls should hold itself to that same standard.
Closing...
As an active observer of local civics, I have lots of other ideas, but these are the ones I thought you'd be interested in right now. I hope you can see, this mayor race isn't about ME -- it's about YOU. It's about having a participatory, equitable and effective government that residents can be proud of. And the Mayor is the key to making this happen. That's why I'm running.
If you like what you've read, I hope you'll vote for me as Mayor on November 5th. Thanks for checking out m positions, and for seeking to be an informed and engaged resident!
Thanks for making it all the way through, and for seeking to be an informed and engaged resident!
Very respectfully,
Rob Green