There was little that was routine at the meeting. At the end of the meeting an ordinance was introduced for first reading changing the meeting schedule to an Agenda Session the first Monday of the month , and the business session for the second Monday.
Using last night's meeting as an example I would wonder if on the new schedule the Council would be comfortable with a four hour meeting before the Public comment portion . If they kept to the rules presently in effect they would only have to listen to public for only 30 minutes a month rather than 60. So much for openness.
While on the subject of transparency, at the beginning of the meeting, changes in the Council calender were announced, including 4 agenda meetings, each one to be held at a different school in one of the 4 wards. I find the genuine desire to make Council meetings more available to the public admirable, but the application faulty;
- There is continuity in having the meetings in the same location, making it a no brainier where to go.
- Plainfield's municipal area is approximately 6 square miles, thus it is unlikely that a central location would be any less accessible.
- If it is felt that the City Hall Library is n o longer conducive for public meetings, there are other central sites-the city court or High School auditorium- the could be used a s a permenant site.
In a period of opaqueness in this era of transparency, it had been decided that the Council would hold 4 town hall type meetings during the year each one on a specific subject; (1) Public Safety, (2) Economic Matters, (3) PMUA, and (4) Information Technology. The order may be different. Again an admirable idea, but one that apparently had sub rosa Council approval since I do not remember any prior official discussion. I would think that at least a Resolution will have to be enacted.
The discussion on use of city owned vehicles continued. Apparently these have been granted by an oral agreement which the Corporation Consul stated was legally binding even though the Council was not privy to the agreement but had passed a resolution authorising the use of city vehicles. Except for the Mayor's vehicle there are restrictions on there use. The actual dollars and cents are minuscule compared to the overall budget and if used as intended there should be no objection . However, that Administration in hiring individuals should make verbal commitments without the Council's approval is unconscionable, and probably illegal.
During the meeting a resolution "to appoint Sirrocco Financial Group as risk management consultant to the City of Plainfield " was on the agenda. When it was noted that the term of thee contract was from 7/1/2008 to 6/31/2009 the explanation was startling.
This group has been doing this work for years under a preferred provider status without bids be requested. Apparently the annual renewal of the contract had "slipped through the cracks". This was caught because the people responsible for paying them refused too issue a check since Sirrocco had no authorization. Another fiscal blunder by Administration, although this one could not hurt the city finances like the budgetary one. However there seems to be a lack of oversight.
One should be very disturbed by the practice of awarding professional contracts, some of sizable financial importance, by the "approved provider route" rather than competitive bidding. "Pay to Play" could rear its ugly head.
(7:00 AM) There were several other items on the table, and I will comment upon them later. Sadly at this meeting once again amateurism and sloppiness on the part of our leadership again cast its shadow.
The discussion on use of city owned vehicles continued. Apparently these have been granted by an oral agreement which the Corporation Consul stated was legally binding even though the Council was not privy to the agreement but had passed a resolution authorising the use of city vehicles. Except for the Mayor's vehicle there are restrictions on there use. The actual dollars and cents are minuscule compared to the overall budget and if used as intended there should be no objection . However, that Administration in hiring individuals should make verbal commitments without the Council's approval is unconscionable, and probably illegal.
During the meeting a resolution "to appoint Sirrocco Financial Group as risk management consultant to the City of Plainfield " was on the agenda. When it was noted that the term of thee contract was from 7/1/2008 to 6/31/2009 the explanation was startling.
This group has been doing this work for years under a preferred provider status without bids be requested. Apparently the annual renewal of the contract had "slipped through the cracks". This was caught because the people responsible for paying them refused too issue a check since Sirrocco had no authorization. Another fiscal blunder by Administration, although this one could not hurt the city finances like the budgetary one. However there seems to be a lack of oversight.
One should be very disturbed by the practice of awarding professional contracts, some of sizable financial importance, by the "approved provider route" rather than competitive bidding. "Pay to Play" could rear its ugly head.
(7:00 AM) There were several other items on the table, and I will comment upon them later. Sadly at this meeting once again amateurism and sloppiness on the part of our leadership again cast its shadow.
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