In short
September’s Mayor’s Message is Mayor Dave Maughan writing about the city’s transparency practices. The two main policy points: as much discussion and decision-making as possible happens in public meetings, and an item cannot go on a council agenda without a complete written application published in the meeting packet. The column also lists where residents can find city information: the website, the mobile app, Notify Me email alerts, the monthly newsletter, social media, and Zoom and YouTube streams of council meetings.
Everything else
Public meetings and packets
- The mayor writes that the city’s most impactful change was a policy pushing as many debates, discussions, and decisions as possible into public meetings, so all five council members get the same information at the same time.
- Council receives detailed supporting information in a published packet, which is on the city website for any resident who wants to see what the council sees, at the same time.
- The mayor writes that when preparing the agenda he helps staff vet all viable solutions, including options he does not personally favor, so the council can make a fully informed decision.
- Current policy does not allow new documents to be considered without first appearing in the published packet. The mayor writes this addresses past complaints from residents who found out about new information only on the night of a decision.
- Complete applications must be in written form in the packet. The mayor writes this has shortened the process and cut down meeting times by reducing delays.
Public comment
- The city schedules multiple public comment and public hearing periods in its meetings, which the mayor writes is beyond the state minimum and more than nearby cities. Residents can comment before the council discusses an item.
Where to find city information
- The city website is the most used source and carries agendas, meeting preparation packets, recordings, calendars, articles, and city code.
- The city mobile app syncs information from the website, including fix-it requests, inspection requests, recreation activity information, construction updates, and road closures.
- Residents can sign up through Notify Me for email alerts on emergency notices, agenda notices, recreation sign-up times, and events.
- The monthly newsletter includes a summary of significant actions taken at the most recent business meeting, plus upcoming meeting information.
- Council meetings are streamed on Zoom and YouTube. The city also posts on Facebook and Instagram and puts physical copies of notices outside City Hall and in city buildings.
Contact
- Mayor Dave Maughan, [email protected], 801-927-7752.
Unofficial digest of a city newsletter. The official version is linked below.
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