Title
Minutes of the October 1, 2018 Meeting
Body
UNAPPROVED
MINUTES OF THE OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY - - - OCTOBER 1, 2018 - - - 7:00 P.M.
Chair Dieter convened the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL - Present: Commissioners Henneberry, Little, and Chair Dieter - 3.
[Note: Commissioner Little was present via teleconference from 321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202]
Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
None.
AGENDA ITEMS
3-A. Select Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioner Henneberry moved approval of Commissioner Little serving as Chair.
Chair Dieter seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Henneberry: Aye; Commissioner Little: Aye; Chair Dieter: Aye; Ayes: 3. [Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.]
Chair Dieter moved approval of Commissioner Henneberry serving as Vice Chair.
Commissioner Little seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Henneberry: Aye; Commissioner Little: Aye; Chair Dieter: Aye; Ayes: 3. [Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.]
3-B. Minutes of the February 5, 2018 and March 5, 2018 Meetings
Chair Dieter moved approval of the February 5, 2018 minutes.
Commissioner Henneberry seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Henneberry: Aye; Commissioner Little: Aye; Chair Dieter: Aye; Ayes: 3. [Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.]
Chair Dieter moved approval of the March 5, 2018 minutes.
Commissioner Henneberry seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Henneberry: Aye; Commissioner Little: Aye; Chair Dieter: Aye; Ayes: 3. [Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.]
3-C. Accept the Annual Report
Commissioner Henneberry moved approval of accepting the annual report.
Commissioner Little seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioner Henneberry: Aye; Commissioner Little: Aye; Chair Dieter: Aye; Ayes: 3. [Absent: Commissioners Foreman and Schwartz - 2.]
COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Dieter stated that she wanted to follow up on a few items after rereading the minutes: 1) changing the website let the public know to copy the City Clerk on meeting correspondence they want published; 2) she suggested adding an asterisk to let people know about records retentions timeframes; she does not feel super strongly about it, but thought it might be helpful for items that are not clear; 3) the City Council ended up adopting most of the Commission’s suggestions on the Rules of Order; outlined changes, including Council giving themselves nine minutes and cutting comment time to two minutes for matters with seven or more speakers; she and Commissioner Little sent a letter to Council, which was included in the record; the Council also decided to end meetings at 11:00 p.m.
Commissioner Little expressed concern over Council reducing the time for speakers; stated that she disagrees with automatically reducing the time.
Chair Dieter stated that she was dissatisfied that matters in the letter were not included; using Rosenberg’s Rules of Order is turning out to be a really good thing.
Commissioner Little inquired whether the recommendations seem to be working and whether there has been training and education.
The City Clerk responded a nine minute timer for Council has been implemented; the Mayor explains the time limit to the public when the speaker threshold is reached so that they are aware before speaking; the Council has voted to suspend the rules and hear additional items past 11:00 p.m. a couple of times.
Chair Dieter stated the two things she has noticed is the Chair needs to ask for a motion right away once public comment is closed and three motions can be on the table at a time.
Commissioner Henneberry stated that he attended a meeting; most of the recommendations were implemented and seemed to make the meeting run much smoother; he does not like that Council increased their time to nine minutes; speakers can fit a lot into two minutes, which could work for all public comment.
Commissioner Little noted seven speakers with three minutes totals 21 minutes and eight speakers with two minutes totals 16 minutes; two minutes should suffice when there are many speakers, but it seems like a limitation on the public’s ability to comment.
Chair Dieter stated Councilmember Matarrese suggested trying it out and changes can be made if needed; encouraged the Commission and members of the public to contact the City Council or Commission if something should be changed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Dieter adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.