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REGULAR MEETING October 8, 2018
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated, I have heard the concerns of Councilmember Davis. Is there
<br /> any way we can put in parameters? Because monies will not be utilized moving forward. If this is
<br /> a concern of other members of the Council, I would like to hear that as well. But is there a way we
<br /> can still have a level of conversation, set parameters and discuss the areas that you and others may
<br /> have concerns about, and still be able to move forward?
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, I think parameters can be set up but not between tonight and
<br /> midnight tonight. I think we are going to look at parameters, given the fact the budget has to be
<br /> approved by November 1St, 2018 which this Council has done when that question has been asked
<br /> of you, then we have delayed the vote to the last meeting in October. For us to put all of the
<br /> parameters right here in an open meeting and have our discussion with our attorneys, I don't even
<br /> see anybody from Area Plan. There isn't even someone here at the expertise level to have that
<br /> discussion tonight.None of them are here. I did let them know I was going to have this discussion
<br /> so,just to put those parameters in, I don't see the expertise here to help us do that tonight. That is
<br /> my concern. Now, to hold up the entire budget for that period of time is something we may not
<br /> want to do. So therefore, given the fact not to hold up the entire budget for that, let's pull that part
<br /> out, come back and do that and then we can do that again for appropriations because I can live
<br /> with parameters really, from that standpoint, but to create those parameters tonight without even
<br /> the appropriate people and legal advice, I can't see how I can do that.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated, I understand what you are saying and it makes sense. I want
<br /> to see if other members have concerns and I would also like to get input from Community
<br /> Investment to see what that would look like. I know we are only at the Council Portion.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis interrupted, And please know that Community Investment, again,
<br /> was at the meeting we had on September 24th,2018 and I have not heard any correspondence from
<br /> them regarding any of those concerns. Also, they were carbon copied on this letter along with
<br /> Mayor Pete. There were no responses at all. So to me, to really have their input tonight, because
<br /> this is Council Portion only, I think that is concerning because we were working through letters
<br /> and everything else. That is why I would have concerns with them having a discussion to hold it
<br /> up now at this present time. I mean, I would listen to that but the thing about it is, given the nature
<br /> of the lack of communication on such a key issue for the City,where we have been very transparent
<br /> with the City regarding our concerns, I think we have to have some concerns with that.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I would support pulling this from the budget at this time
<br /> with the intent of further deliberation and having a more collaborative effort and fuller
<br /> understanding. Mr. Davis, you've been a long-time member of the Area Plan Commission and
<br /> have been a long-time Chair of the Zoning and Annexation Committee. I think you have a voice
<br /> of authority on this and, I guess, out of due respect to your leadership and this request, I would
<br /> concur with you. I know you have brought up your concerns, as have I, and they were multi-
<br /> faceted. I guess I, too, don't feel comfortable with pulling the trigger on this and saying yes, go
<br /> full-boar on it but, at the same time, I recognize the need for some changes. However, I think
<br /> Council can get at that in a collaborative way going forward. I guess we should have learned our
<br /> lesson in some way with the way HPC went down last year in terms of coming to the Council. I
<br /> should acknowledge,there has been a number of pieces in terms of job descriptions and individual
<br /> discussions but I think we all benefit when we look at it collectively. I do think that piece meal
<br /> approach misses some things sometimes and there are miscommunications. So I guess I would
<br /> support your motion but with the intent to let the Department of Community Investment come
<br /> before Council to work on this in a more open way to give opportunities to ask questions. I would
<br /> acknowledge that I, too, in my comments, which I didn't share across Council through emails
<br /> because I don't think that is appropriate, but I, too, asked these same questions not only in
<br /> Committee but I asked it of the Administration and specifically with the Department of
<br /> Community Investment. I did have a very lengthy conversation on a late Friday night with Dr.
<br /> Mueller before either of us left the office here. I am grateful for that but that is a benefit and a
<br /> knowledge that I have, it is not a benefit and knowledge that,perhaps,the rest of the Council may
<br /> or may not have. Certainly the public does not have that information. I do think being able to
<br /> discuss these things in a more public setting would be beneficial. I am on the record for the issues
<br /> I had with this and I am not at the point where I feel comfortable that those issues have been
<br /> addressed.
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