Tonight the Council's Agenda Setting session is scheduled for 7:30. Recent developments suggest that there may be a delay due to a possible extended executive session which precedes the public meeting. Once more the likely hood of a meeting lasting until midnight is a distinct possibility. That will once again deprive many of the public of their privilege of addressing the council. The remedy is of course simple, return to the time honored tradition of semi-monthly meetings.
Undoubtedly the legality of the Mayor's veto of the two Ordinances will be a subject of discussion. If there is a problem in the timing the Corporation Counsel will in all probability offer a legal opinion. Since by Charter is serves both Administration and Council his position could be an awkward one. Suffice to say he is appointed by the Mayor and serves "at her pleasure".
In the past he has been most often the spokes person for the Mayor at Council meetings.
There are three sure votes to override a veto, one most likely, one very questionable, one unfathomable and one definite no. Five are needed for an override. If the Mayor complied with the provisions of the Charter then her veto on the one that raises the bidding threshold is likely to stand. However recent a posting on Plaintalker II may arouse much justified ire on the part of her usual supporters that there is a great possibility to override her veto. Remember that no action can be taken at this meeting but the vote will be next Monday.
Under unfinished business there is to be legal review on the Mayor's "appointment"' to the Housing Authority of Ken Scott who had been originally filling an unexpired term and when his name had been introduced for a full term appointment approval by the Council, the Administration had withdrawn it. However he was still serving as a temp. appointment.
One of the new Ordinances proposed for 1st reading authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000.00 and the issuance of bonds or notes for $950,000.00 to acquire the gunshot location equipment. This writer believes that there is not sufficient proof offered that this will be an effective method in stopping the crime wave. The money could be better spent on other enterprises that would occupy those that would become gang members. It also could be used to increase the number of police "grunts" available for patrol.
At this time without the documentation of the resolutions being available it is impossible to comment on that portion of the agenda. Notable, however, are 6 resolutions submitted by the Department of Administration and Finance awarding purchasing contracts to vendors on the State approved list for various items. no amount is mentioned in the information supplied on the agenda, but these were obliviously awarded by "the fair and open" method which excludes competitive bidding. Therefor the contract may be award to a preferred vendor who may not be the least expensive or best qualified.
As I pointed out earlier this week there is no Director of Administration and Finance in situ. When the most recent one , Bibi Taylor, was appointed City Administrator in January/February she retained that position in an acting ( temporary) capacity. By Charter her term there expired in 90 days. Thus there too the Administration has continue to ignore the Charter and the legality of any action by the anointed head of that department may be illegal.
If so what is the status of the Council embers who have approved by their voter such evasion of the Charter?
One Councilmatic Resolution to be introduced recognizes the years of services that retired Police Captain Siddeeq El-Amin, who was the victim of an arbitrary demotion in the second reorganization of the department during this administration. Well deserved.
As expected one item not on the agenda is the introduction of the 2011FY budget. Since this would not be debatable for inclusion there would be no reason to expect it before the promised date Sept. 13 ,the business meeting.
Undoubtedly the legality of the Mayor's veto of the two Ordinances will be a subject of discussion. If there is a problem in the timing the Corporation Counsel will in all probability offer a legal opinion. Since by Charter is serves both Administration and Council his position could be an awkward one. Suffice to say he is appointed by the Mayor and serves "at her pleasure".
In the past he has been most often the spokes person for the Mayor at Council meetings.
There are three sure votes to override a veto, one most likely, one very questionable, one unfathomable and one definite no. Five are needed for an override. If the Mayor complied with the provisions of the Charter then her veto on the one that raises the bidding threshold is likely to stand. However recent a posting on Plaintalker II may arouse much justified ire on the part of her usual supporters that there is a great possibility to override her veto. Remember that no action can be taken at this meeting but the vote will be next Monday.
Under unfinished business there is to be legal review on the Mayor's "appointment"' to the Housing Authority of Ken Scott who had been originally filling an unexpired term and when his name had been introduced for a full term appointment approval by the Council, the Administration had withdrawn it. However he was still serving as a temp. appointment.
One of the new Ordinances proposed for 1st reading authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000.00 and the issuance of bonds or notes for $950,000.00 to acquire the gunshot location equipment. This writer believes that there is not sufficient proof offered that this will be an effective method in stopping the crime wave. The money could be better spent on other enterprises that would occupy those that would become gang members. It also could be used to increase the number of police "grunts" available for patrol.
At this time without the documentation of the resolutions being available it is impossible to comment on that portion of the agenda. Notable, however, are 6 resolutions submitted by the Department of Administration and Finance awarding purchasing contracts to vendors on the State approved list for various items. no amount is mentioned in the information supplied on the agenda, but these were obliviously awarded by "the fair and open" method which excludes competitive bidding. Therefor the contract may be award to a preferred vendor who may not be the least expensive or best qualified.
As I pointed out earlier this week there is no Director of Administration and Finance in situ. When the most recent one , Bibi Taylor, was appointed City Administrator in January/February she retained that position in an acting ( temporary) capacity. By Charter her term there expired in 90 days. Thus there too the Administration has continue to ignore the Charter and the legality of any action by the anointed head of that department may be illegal.
If so what is the status of the Council embers who have approved by their voter such evasion of the Charter?
One Councilmatic Resolution to be introduced recognizes the years of services that retired Police Captain Siddeeq El-Amin, who was the victim of an arbitrary demotion in the second reorganization of the department during this administration. Well deserved.
As expected one item not on the agenda is the introduction of the 2011FY budget. Since this would not be debatable for inclusion there would be no reason to expect it before the promised date Sept. 13 ,the business meeting.
Doc I see where your going with this. I say let's hold the council feet to the fire. Watch Councilwomen Linda carter waffle. She has to because she is beholding to the King of Plainfield. We the voter's in Plainfield do not have to VOTE for her in November. Why should be send another rubber stamp to the county. Let's stand together. We need Accountability in the City of Plainfield. Tonight will tell. I will be there.
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