Mayor Tari Renner voiced his concerns over a plan that would allow a group of three Aldermen to add discussion and action items to agendas. He said it could create a problem as it has in polarized states and communities.
“You could conceivably have three council members dominate an agenda and load up the agenda with this,” said Renner.
Renner said they could change the number to four.
“If almost half the council think it’s a good situation, then that might be a compromise.”
Renner discussed the issue during a committee meeting, where Aldermen debated on the differences between allowing groups of three, four, or five aldermen to add the items.
Alderman Jim Fruin said he’ll support the council’s decision, but he would rather see the number set at five.
“When you have a third of the council, you’re going to bring that risk of a public discussion that’s better served in personal conversations.”
Aldermen Karen Schmidt, Scott Black, and Mboka Mwilambwe presented the original idea that supports groups of three. It includes a form that would need to be filled out with item details and signed by supporters.
Alderwoman Amelia Buragas thinks three is “rational” and helps the minority voice by allowing “a variety of proposals to come before the full council.”
Schmidt said they’ll stick with three when the item is brought to a vote at either the next meeting or the following meeting.
“If that causes some issues, any kind of dissention, we would probably tweak that then.”
Aldermen also learned more about the progress of the One-Stop-Shop Project that would help builders and developers in the community navigate paperwork, hearings, and other aspects of project planning.
Director of Community Development Tom Dabareiner said the idea is already underway with the creation of the Project Review Group, which identifies project managers and is “an avenue for applicants to come and test their ideas and test out what’s necessary moving forward.”
The next steps include allowing people to go to the same place for all of the paperwork and could also include combining the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Board. The entire plan is expected to be fully implemented by this summer.