Sunday, April 17, 2011

Our week in Pacifica - Earth Day aftermath


City Meetings 4/18/11 through 4/23/11.
For Earth Day, a special thanks to Pacificans, Tax Payers, and Recology!
 
City Meetings

April 18, 2011, 7 pm.  Planning Commission.  CANCELED, "Do no harm" is always the best choice.

April 20, 2011, 7-9 pm.  Open Space Committee.  Pacifica Community Center, Portola Room.  Past Reports posted.

April 20, 2011, 7-9 pm.  Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.  City Council
Chambers.  Agendas and Notice posted:  "...looking for a teen Commissioner (under age 18)".

April 20, 2011, 7-9 pm.  Climate Action Plan Task Force. 1810 Francisco Blvd, PB&R Conference Room.
Agendas, and  Minutes posted, (not much information). 

Posted by Kathy Meeh
 

11 comments:

Kathy Meeh said...

In viewing the above links, it is clear that electronic transparency for city commissions and committees is not happening on the city website. One exception (not shown above) is the
Economic Development committee, which includes both functional, disclosed Agendas, and Minutes updated and intact.

"Sunshine is the Best Disinfectant" as suggested by Jim Wagner and Mark Stechbart (from their 4/6 Tribune article). In his comment (4/7, 3:34pm), Mark voiced further concerns about the Climate Task Force: "Committee members may be upfront about everything they are doing. We made no judgment about intentions. We do have serious objections to this committee deliberately withholding public documents from the taxpayers."

In a desire and need to know information-driven age with technology available, I think Mark and Jim bring-up a transparency and across-the-board improvement issue, which should affect all working city commissions and committees.

todd bray said...

Kathy, it's not a legal requirement for the city to post everything from every committee on line. If you want to do some real home work you will find that the city posts what is legally required and does not expend staff time (a very limited resource) on non essential tasks. Committee members can answer questions if you have them. Knowing you I'm sure you have friends on all these committees that can keep you updated with their agenda packets, or ask to be included in the out going email blast to committee members. No need to spin your wheels.

Kathy Meeh said...

Todd, maybe electronic transparency is not a legal issue at this time, but it is "best practice". We are progressively living in an electronic age, and "trust me" doesn't play well in this city. If the Economic Development Committee can post a clear view of their Agendas and Minutes, why not others? As they say "raise the bar, rather than lower it".

And, as a citizen, I should not have to get a spun description of a city meeting, nor should I have to rely upon the selective memory of a citizen on such City commissions or committees. And, such personal intrusion and inquiry does not seem fair to those who participate in these civic activities.

You consider this transparency issue a "non essential task" not worthy of staff time in a modern world. I disagree.

How was your Earth Day?

Anonymous said...

This is a bullshit issue

todd bray said...

Aye

Anonymous said...

The earthQUAKE aftermath is that 5000 customers in Pacifica are without power today.

Anonymous said...

maybe mother nature is telling pacificans they can live in the dark for "earth" day . . .

Kathy Meeh said...

Todd and Anon 152 (possibly one and the same), I don't get it. Why would you be against some kind of conforming standard for City commissions and committees?

The Economic Development Committee does post understandable Agendas and Minutes. Most non-public meetings do the same. The difference is these city commissions and committees are public, and this city already has the website technology to post these.

I'm not singling-out the Climate Task Force. And I do understand that what comes out of these citizen efforts are recommendations.

Bob the Builder said...

Kind of interesting that there is no planning commission meeting. I guess all the builders have finally figured it out, "Pacifica, Closed for Business".

Anonymous said...

I'm not "against some kind of conforming standard for City commissions and committee." But not publishing draft or working documents is a non-issue. It's a bullshit attempt to stir up controversy where none exists.

Pacifican said...

Everyone knows the real Pacifica Planning Commission is:

Vreeland, Nancy Hall, John Curtis and Sneaky Pete Dejarnatt