01 June 2016

READ THIS: Public 411 You Can Use > Keeping You Informed > Where's Citizen Input?

The Mesa City Council believes that its people, not leaders, are what makes a City great and actively works ??to encourage citizen participation in the decision-making process. . . the Mesa City Council sets policies based on the input and needs of its citizens.
OK, sounds good, right, but very few people actually show up or "provide input" at City Council meetings . . . only three comments are allowed in a time-limit of three minutes [you must fill out a blue comment card to do that]

 Please note, dear readers, this agenda was made available to citizens yesterday @ 7:30 a.m. July 31, 2016 - how many people have taken the time to read it?
Was there "a preliminary agenda" published? [no]
Agendas work well when there are comments from the public to provide input especially when action will be considered then taken by councilmembers on agenda items.
The final agenda for tomorrow's study session - to be immediately followed by "a regular session" is published below.
Readers will note that the bold and underlined agenda items require a few more steps to access and are only presented as .pdf documents.  

Please note again: As part of each meeting agenda, action may be taken on:
  • zoning matters
  • awarding of contracts [sometimes adding up to million$ of dollar$ that are put on something called the 'consent agenda' that usually gets approved within minutes, unless it's asked to be removed and considered separately] to purchase equipment, supplies or for construction improvements within the City,
  • liquor license applications, ordinances, and resolutions.
During meetings, citizens may address the council on items pertaining to the agenda.
QUESTION: Do average citizens - those with no "special interest" for personal or financial gain - have the motivation or time to find out of what's up on the agendas for Mesa City Council meetings??

Another question: Have some past and current City councilmembers [and those who might want to grab a seat inside City Hall] operated more to benefit "special interests" than the public?
Minutes of past City Council meetings are posted at this site after they are approved by the City Council.
The preliminary agenda of the next council meeting is posted at this site approximately four days [??]  before a council meeting and the final agenda, which incorporates any last minute changes to the preliminary agenda, usually is posted at this site the morning of the council meeting.
All City Council meetings are broadcast live on cable television on Mesa Channel 11 and will be rebroadcast the following two days at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For copies of Council Minutes that are not listed, call the City Clerk's Office (480) 644-2381.



City Council Study Session
City of Mesa

7:30 am
Mesa Council Chambers 57 East First - Lower Level
Thu June 2, 2016

Meeting Agenda - Final
Mayor John Giles

Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh - District 3
Councilmember Dave Richins - District 1
Councilmember Alex Finter - District 2
Councilmember Chris Glover - District 4
Councilmember David Luna - District 5
Councilmember Kevin Thompson - District 6

Roll Call

(Members of the Mesa City Council will attend either in person or by telephone conference call)
1.  Review items on the agenda for the June 6, 2016 regular Council meeting.

2 . Presentations/Action Items:


2-a 16-0628 Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the proposed Mesa multi-sport athletic, field house, and events complex relating to:

  • 1.  Capital and operations and maintenance funding and required Charter authorization; and
  • 2.  A Memorandum of Understanding with Visit Mesa for the operations and maintenance funding.
3 16-0631 Information pertaining to the current Job Order Contracting projects.
 
4 Approve minutes from an Executive Session held on May 19, 2016.
 
5 Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees.

  • 5-a 16-0590 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting held on March 9, 2016.
6 Hear reports on meetings and/or conferences attended

7 Scheduling of meetings and general information.

Page 1 City of Mesa Printed on 5/31/2016
June 2, 2016City Council Study Session Meeting Agenda - Final
 
8 Adjournment.

Any citizen wishing to speak on an agenda item should complete and turn in a blue card to the City Clerk before that item is presented.
The Council may vote to hold an executive session for the purposes of obtaining legal advice from the City Attorney (A.R.S. §38-431.03A(3)) or to discuss and instruct the City Attorney regarding the City’s position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation. (A.R.S. §38-431.03A(4))
The City of Mesa is committed to making its public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities.  For special accommodations, please contact the City Manager's Office at (480) 644-3333 or AzRelay 7-1-1 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.  Si necesita asistencia o traducción en español, favor de llamar al menos 48 horas antes de la reunion
al 480-644-2767.
http://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/advisory-boards-committees/city-council

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