Does Consistency at Council Meetings Matter?

Yes, even more than I thought

Apparently, I stirred up a hornet's nest with my most recent "Council Note's" column in Community Free Press and this blog posting.

Some have questioned whether I took two completely different, unrelated segments of a Council meeting, one in which it is appropriate to honor people with applause and one in which it is inappropriate to honor people with applause and compared them.

For clarification, all the cases of applause my critic(s) have considered have occurred during the course of a convened Council meeting.

In the instance I wrote about, roll call had been taken and the interim City Manager was giving the City Manager's report, after the meeting had begun, when she asked the Council if they would care to join her in applause for Mayor Pro Tem Deaver. The Council's accommodation set off the applause of the public who were in attendance at that June 30 meeting.

Mayor Carlson has asked the public not to applaud anything recently. Mayor Carlson has even threatened to have people removed from the chamber for doing so.

Here are some further facts that readers, and critics, might find pertinent:

The City's Municipal Code does not distinguish that during certain periods of convened Council meetings applause is either appropriate or inappropriate.

Sec. 2-45. Decorum.

(a) Councilmembers. While the city council is in session, the members shall preserve order and decorum, and no member shall, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the council, or disturb any member while speaking, or refuse to obey the orders of the council or its mayor, except as otherwise provided in this article.
(b) Other persons. No person shall make personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks, or otherwise disturb the order and decorum of any council meeting. The sergeant-at-arms, at the direction of the mayor, shall remove any person violating the provisions of this subsection (b).
(c) Signs and displays. No person shall carry or display a sign inside the city council chambers or any other similar type of written communication which is carried or displayed, except nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit a person from using visual materials when presenting a matter to the city council. The city council hereby determines that signs or displays in the council chambers may obstruct the view of citizens, can cause injury and affect the decorum of city council meetings, and are hereby prohibited for such reasons. The sergeant-at-arms shall inform citizens when signs or displays violate this section and shall remove the signs
or displays from the council chambers or may cause citizens carrying such signs or displays to be removed from the council chambers.
(Code 1981, § 2-15)

What the City's Municipal Code does clearly establish is that the presiding officer of the City Council is the Mayor:

Sec. 2-34. Presiding officer.

The presiding officer of the city council shall be the mayor, or in his absence the mayor pro tempore. The presiding officer shall preserve strict order and decorum at all regular and special meetings of the council.

The presiding officer is Mayor Carlson and the Council's presiding officer is on record, during the course of a convened, public, City Council meeting as having established a rule of decorum that people not applaud anything:

"“Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, we would request that you not applause anything. We require decorum in the Council Chambers.” - Mayor Carlson, December, 2007

I have not asked the readers of CFP to consider this a grave issue, I simply spotlighted it.

It was not my idea to establish a rule that people not applaud anything during the course of a City Council meeting. It was the presiding officer of the City Council who established that during a convened, public meeting of the Council.

Apparently, the issue has mattered more to some of my readers than I ever thought it would, hence: It is my opinion, that the interest this most current column inspired makes it that much more important that the presiding officer make every effort to see that the rules he has set forth as pertaining to decorum and the appropriateness of applause during the course of a convened meeting should be practiced consistently during the course of convened, public Council meetings.

I'm happy to answer reader's questions

I received the following query today regarding my Council column in the new issue of Community Free Press:

"Mrs. Melton:

I noticed in today's edition of the Community Free Press' "City Council Notes" section you wrote about Interim City Manager Evelyn Honea leading a round of applause for Councilman Gary Deaver for winning the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Springfield Rotary Club. In your piece, you wrote about Mayor Carlson taking issue with outbursts from those in attendance without mentioning at all the times other people from the community have been saluted and applauded such as city staff who have received recognition and at the most recent meeting a Boy Scout who was in attendance.

I was wondering why you didn't feel it was in the interest of your readers to give them all of the facts."

----end email----

First of all, let me just note that I feel it is in the interest of my readers to have all the facts, I hope in the links and supplemental information I offer and CFP offers they will be able to access "all of the facts." I give readers the facts that I feel are pertinent on any given issue. Truth be known, I am given a word count of 550 words for my "Council Notes" column, which appears in every issue of the Community Free Press.

At issue, in my mind, in the column cited by the writer of the email above, was not whether it was Deaver as opposed to a boy scout or another member of City staff who received applause, it was, rather, an issue of whether the rules of decorum are equally observed. It is a fact that:

"On several occasions in the recent past, Mayor Carlson has demanded the public observe strict rules of decorum in Council chambers, even threatening their removal from the chambers if they are not observed."

It is up to the reader to decide whether it should be an issue as to whether the City staff and Council observe the same rules of decorum they demand of the public who attend the Council meetings. It is of no consequence whether it is Mayor Pro Tem Deaver who is receiving the applause or a boy scout, it just so happens that in this instance it was Mayor Pro Tem Deaver who received the applause.

This column was turned in before a boy scout was applauded at the City Council meeting of July 14, again, the applause, in this case, was not challenged by anyone on the Council. It so happens, that at the moment that applause took place Mayor Carlson was not in attendance, as he arrived late to the meeting this past Monday night.

My column could have just as easily cited applause for a boy scout as applause for Mayor Pro Tem Deaver, had it been a boy scout who was applauded at the June 30 Council meeting, which is the meeting this column covered.

As far as including "all the facts," ask any reporter if they are able to include every fact of every issue they cover. I recently mentioned Wes Johnson of the News-Leader not including information about a resolution here, not to disrespect or question Mr. Johnson, who I happen to have a great deal of respect for, but because I thought it was worth noting.

Every Council column I write requires I make choices about what I think the public might find important or interesting because I am only allowed a certain amount of space to cover the previous meeting and there is not room to include every issue and every word that is exchanged during any given meeting in the space I am allowed for my column. This issue's column is no different from any other in that regard. For whatever reason, the Community Free Press trusts my judgment on the making of those choices and I am honored that they do so and have given me the opportunity to write a regular column for their paper, for which I have the utmost respect.

I appreciate, also, the writer of the email for being interested in my choices and decisions and appreciate everyone who reads my column, as, I'm sure, does CFP.

I'm always open for suggestion. My email address can be found under my profile and I would also encourage any one who has a question or comment to write a letter to the editor at the Community Free Press.

New issue of CFP hits the Web and the stands!

The new issue of Community Free Press is on the Web and in the stands!

Top story: "City Seeks Possession of Skatepark; Contention between Adams and Weatherman causes breakdown of mediation and prompts legal action."

The Council column I turned in touches on how renewal of the CIP tax was approved by voters with the Commercial Street streetscape project listed as a new priority project just before Council approved Commercial Street's designation as a TIF district. Tax increment financing could have covered this cost but it isn't needed, voters already approved capital improvement revenue for the project, read more....

Brian Brown completed: JUSTICE DELAYED PART 2 OF 3; ‘Systemic’ Problem Faces County Justice, a very interesting read. Part 1 of 3 can be read in the July 2 issue, "Justice Here is Justice Delayed; A shortage of judges and defenders compounds the county docket overload."

Bob Mace is teetering on "The Edge" again in "Short-Circuited?"

...and there's a whole lot more, including Managing Editor Mert Seaton's announcement of his brand new family member, Lucy Ann, in "Random Thoughts While on Baby Leave."

CONGRATULATIONS MERT!!!

For an interesting editorial take on the City's, apparent, desire to take over the Springfield Skatepark, I'd direct you to Stu Soloman's blog, "Stu's Potluck."

Recommended reading 27: Judicial Selection Systems

From: Show-Me Institute:

Is the 'Missouri Plan' Good for Missouri?

"Recent judicial appointments in Missouri have intensified calls for reform of Missouri’s judicial selection process. While these debates can seem like mere partisan bickering, judicial independence is critical to a well-functioning legal system, which is an important factor in economic growth. Research has found that judicial independence and legal system quality matter for economic growth, and that the outcomes of a state’s legal system depend in part on how its judges are selected. Although the General Assembly decided not to pursue legislation that might alter the “Missouri Plan” during this past legislative session, the quality of the state’s legal system and its potential effect on economic growth is an issue worthy of ongoing attention...."

Find out the results of a study of judicial selection systems, undertaken by Joshua Hall who is an assistant professor of economics at Beloit College and Russell S. Sobel, professor of economics and Distinguished Chair in the Department of Economics at West Virginia, at the link above.

You can also access the full study and a four page policy briefing here.

From the briefing:

"Our analysis finds no other method of selection resulting in average scores or rankings that are statistically higher than Missouri’s current system."

In the interest of including all the facts: Council Bills 2008-208, 209

In, "Council to consider tax breaks for BKD building," The Springfield News-Leader's Wes Johnson wrote:

"The council will consider giving several tax breaks to facilitate a $21.5 million industrial revenue bond for the 109,600-square-foot BKD headquarters building at 910 St. Louis St.

The site currently is a parking lot owned by John Q. Hammons, just south of the Jordan Valley Car Park.

Tonight's discussion is a first reading of the proposal, and the public will have an opportunity to speak about it. A final vote is likely within two weeks."

Johnson was writing about, one must assume, Council Bill 2008-208.

However, the Resolution, Council Bill 2008-209, will be read tonight and, as a Resolution, only requires one reading. Citizens may speak but the Council may, and most likely will vote tonight, either for or against approval of the City acting as necessary to issue its Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $21.5 million to finance the costs of Opus' building of the "BKD" office building.

If the Council approves the Resolution, the City will become the owners of the property and will lease it to Opus, with Opus having an option to buy the property and its improvements. You can read the terms for yourself under both bills.

Johnson failed to note that, so I thought I would.

The original agreement Council approved, which was negotiated with Hammons on the former arena site/parking garage, stipulated that Hammons would sell the property, which Hammons owned and is currently a parking lot, to Opus for the purpose of developing an office building which would be leased, in part, to BKD.

Council approved the option of the bond issuance as a part of the authorization they gave the City to negotiate a development agreement with Opus on June 30. Whether they realized the option of a City ownership, finance and City bond issuance was approved because of the City's inclusion of RSMo Chapter 100 being cited or not, I do not know. I haven't taken the time to find out yet.

16. RESOLUTIONS. CITIZENS MAY SPEAK. MAY BE VOTED ON.

17. COUNCIL BILL 2008-209. (Carlson)A resolution approving a plan for an Industrial Development Project for 910 Springfield, L.L.C., and determining the official intent of the City of Springfield, Missouri, to issue its Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $21,500,000 to finance the costs of such project

Religious Debate

Don't quarrel about words; it is of no value

A couple of interesting "my voice" columns in the News-Leader this morning:

Politicians may want preachers with safe message, written by Tim Carson, senior minister of University Christian Church, Fort Worth, Texas.

And:

Bible shows everything occurs as result of God's direction, permission, written by A. Wilson Phillips, senior pastor of Abundant Life Covenant Church in Springfield.

Certainly, the comments are revealing.

I don't think God needs me to defend Him, per se, I think He wants me to choose Him, to love Him, to be obedient to Him and to share Him.

Some of the comments, posted with the above articles, in my opinion, border on cyber-bullying. People who are trying their darnedest, for their own wide-ranging reasons, to make Christians think they're stupid for having faith in God.

Faith is what it is. I have faith in God and I have made my choice, others will make theirs.

The Bible doesn't promise everyone will love Christians who practice their faith and are vocal about it, and in fact, warns us against arguing about words.

I don't think much of the argument that, "because you don't believe the same way I do, you are therefore stupid," coming from anyone.

Closed-mindedness is not synonymous with Christianity and, likewise, open-mindedness is not synonymous with people who don't have faith and practice it in the same way I do.

For those who DO like to argue about it and think it is their place to defend God or their faith, here's a scripture for you to think about:

2 Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

From the archives of JackeHammer:

Defending the Faith from Political Attack.

"...I realized... that the Bible is as divisive today as it has always been. The Bible does not tolerate sin. The Bible tells us how God feels about sin. We either accept the Word of God as true, as useful for instruction, as the "anchor and foundation of any true Church," or we do not.

"Of necessity, if one does not believe in an inerrant Bible and consider it the guidebook for the Christian life it separates him from the one who does believe in an inerrant Bible, from the one who does consider it the guidebook for the Christian life. It is not "Conservative" (or evangelical) Christians who are intolerant of sin and it's practice, it is GOD who is intolerant of sin and its practice. The Holy Bible is intolerant of sin and it is still the lightening rod of controversy which it has been since early Christians first shared it with unbelievers.

"When Christians politically attack each other they do not attack each other so much as they attack the precepts and tenets of the Bible. The same Bible which Martin Luther was "conquered" by when he said "my conscience is bound in the Word of God," We would all do well to remember our "anchor and foundation.""

What are you doing here, Jacke? (Revisited)

A Workman Approved by God
(2 Timothy 2)

"Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to dowith foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. - 2 Timothy 2

Council Bill 2008-212

Item 36. COUNCIL BILL 2008-212.

(The details given regarding this bill are by no means the complete bill. I recommend you read the full 27 page document, linked above, for a complete understanding. The following facts are summarized in some cases, quoted in others and are only excerpts. The emphasis added is mine)

"(Carlson)A special ordinance amending the rules and regulations of the Small Business Development Loan Program and the Comprehensive Housing Assistance Program to provide for a Pilot Business Incentive Program and to make minor updates to the overall regulation. (Staff recommends approval.)"

Uh huh. Minor updates.

The Urban District Alliance is sponsoring the "Microenterprise Loan Pilot Program." This bill is a first reading consent agenda bill. As one of the minor updates, the bill strikes these ineligible activities, which are currently ineligible as uses of Small Business Loans:

1. Working Capital
2. Inventory
3. Training of Employees
4. Other costs determined ineligible by the Loan Committee

Added eligible activities, under the "Microenterprise Loan Pilot Program," will be:

1. Working Capital;
2. Merchandise inventory;
3. Equipment
4. Furninture and fixtures;
5. Infill improvements;
6. Other start-up costs

Microenterprise, according to the bill, "means a business having five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the business. Microenterprises are for-profit businesses."

Eligible Applicants:

"Due to the early stages of Commercial Street's redevelopment, eligible applicants will not only include retail businesses but any other new and expanding type of business outlined in the Commercial Street "Strategy for Success" accepted by City Council in August of 2005."

Eligible Project Areas:

"Eligible target areas for the Microenterprise program are (1) Boonville Avenue Corridor; (2) Center City; (3) Commercial Street Historic District; and (4) Walnut Street Conservation District; all shown on Exhibit A."

Interest rate for the loans is 5 percent per annum.

Oh, get this:

Maximum Loan Amount:

"shall be $25,000 to eligible businesses. Maximum loan amount may be reviewed, changed or increased in future years."

Personally, I'm wondering if there will be enough Council members to pass this with a majority, considering how many of them may need to abstain?

Update: I should have noted that bill 2008-212 is a first reading consent agenda bill. Usually, Mayor Carlson will ask if anyone on the Council wants anything removed from the consent agenda. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. After he asks the Council, he will ask if anyone in the public would like to have something removed from the consent agenda, if he gets no response, he will ask the City Clerk if she has had any requests that something be removed from the consent agenda. I've never seen anyone from the public ask to have something removed from the consent agenda, but if you would like to address this first reading bill, you could probably let Ms. Cirtin know before the meeting, and perhaps turn in a card that you'd like to speak to it at the same time. Then, that should give you an opening to address the Council....IF you want to. :) -- Jackie

Did you see this coming?

15. COUNCIL BILL 2008-208.

"The City Council approved a Development Agreement ("Development Agreement") between the City and 910 Springfield, L.L.C. ("Opus"), on June 30, 2008. The Development Agreement obligates the City to provide tax abatement* to the land to be purchased, and the office building to be constructed, by Opus pursuant to the Development Agreement. The Developer has requested tax abatement* in the form of issuance of Industrial Development Bonds pursuant to Chapter 100, RSMo("Chapter 100") as authorized* in the Development Agreement.

"Pursuant to Chapter 100, the land and improvements to be constructed by Opus will be owned by the City and leased to Opus. As a result of the City's ownership of the Project, the site will be exempt from payment of real property taxes.* The project is expected to cost $21,500,000* and bonds will be issued in that amount to fund the acquisition and construction of the project. Opus will purchase the bonds. Principal and interest on the bonds will be paid solely with revenue derived from rent payments under the lease agreement between the City and Opus."

My collegue, Stu, over at Stu's Potluck was wondering today why that Hammon's Agreement was made an "emergency bill" at the June 30, Council meeting, I think he might have just got his answer.

*all emphasis, mine

Update: Companion, item 17. COUNCIL BILL 2008-209.

"WHEREAS, 910 Springfield, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), has requested that the City (i) approve a plan for a project for the building for use as office industry located at 910 St. Louis Street in the City of Springfield, Missouri (the "Project"), (ii) issue its industrial develoment revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $21,500,000 to provide funds to pay the costs of the Project, and (iii) lease the Project to the Company with an option to purchase the Project, for the purpose of financing the costs of the Project, all in accordance with and pursuant to the Act; and..."

This bill is a resolution, meaning it only requires one reading for the Council to find and determine:

"...that the Project will promote the economic welfare and the development of the City...,"

among other things. Read it for yourself.

Recommended Reading 26: A "Rocket Graveyard," Suzi Brozman

Yesterday, I read James Regions' letter in the Springfield News-Leader and I found some of the comments to that letter very disturbing.

As a continuance to "Recommended Readings, 20-22 and 23," I wanted to update with Suzi's new installment on the Israel story she is writing, since her recent, first trip to Israel.

I thought it was particularly timely after the publication of Mr. Regions letter.

Excerpts, (use the link to read the entire, riveting article).

COVER: A 'Rocket Graveyard'
Dealing with attacks in southern Israel

Suzi Brozman
Staff Writer

"...Surrounded by enemies, Israel cannot afford to relax its vigilance for an instant. For that reason, every inch of the border with Gaza is under constant scrutiny, both live and on camera. At the base, a command room filled with computer monitors is staffed by young women, members of the IDF. Each monitor scans a particular area of the terrain separating Israelis and Gazans, showing pictures broadcast from a network of cameras stationed along the borders trying to detect every movement, every possible terror attempt....

"The process is not foolproof, but it is effective. We were shown tapes of incidents where terrorists were caught trying to cross the border. We also saw times when they weren't stopped. Botched incidents are studied carefully to learn how to recognize the next attempt.

"A commanding officer briefed us on the situation. Twenty settlements are in the area. The 12 nearest the fence are the least secure. Two weeks before our visit a major truck bomb reached settlements inside Israel. The officer warned us that Hamas has been strengthening its positions and issuing more dangerous, upgraded threats in recent days. Missiles, he said, are the main threat now, and they are harder to deal with than terrorists whose movements are easier to follow, though there are daily attempts to cross the border fence, and there are nightly sniper attacks. Terrorists try to cross on the ground by cutting the fence or underground through tunnels. This is how Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped...."

Recommended Reading 25: Alternative Autism Treatments

Fringe autism treatment could get federal study

The "fringe" treatment, referred to, is chelation.

Interesting read.

It seemed a little boring in the blogosphere to me, so I whipped up a little something...

...sorry, I had to use energy by having the power turned on to my computer to do so. Hey! I coulda been out drivin' my evil CAR!?!

It seems that Joshua Wolf and Robert Salo of Royal Children's Hospital, in Melbourne Australia have recently reported that:

"A 17-year-old man was referred to the inpatient psychiatric unit at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne with an eight-month history of depressed mood . . . He also . . . had visions of apocalyptic events."

and that:

"The patient had also developed the belief that, due to climate change, his own water consumption could lead within days to the deaths of millions of people through exhaustion of water supplies."

Read more about it here, though some of the comments are a bit nasty, if you ask me.

April 16, 2007, Darragh Johnson of the Washington Post wrote about a 9 year old boy named Alex Hendel and the effects that discussions about global warming and/or climate change can have on children who have been led to believe, in many cases, that we're headed for epic destruction brought on by people who consume too much gas, drink too much water or own too many farting cows:

""In 20 years," he pronounces, "there's no oxygen." Then, to dramatize the point, he collapses, "dead," to the floor.

"For many children and young adults, global warming is the atomic bomb of today. Fears of an environmental crisis are defining their generation in ways that the Depression, World War II, Vietnam and the Cold War's lingering "War Games" etched souls in the 20th century.

"Parents say they're searching for "productive" outlets for their 8-year-olds' obsessions with dying polar bears. Teachers say enrollment in high school and college environmental studies classes is doubling year after year. And psychologists say they're seeing an increasing number of young patients preoccupied by a climactic Armageddon."

March 19, 2007:

"Half of young children are anxious about the effects of global warming, often losing sleep because of their concern, according to a new report today.

A survey of 1,150 youngsters aged between seven and 11 found that one in four blamed politicians for the problems of climate change."

Hmmm. Maybe it IS politicians who are to blame for all that global warming, hot air. Those 1,150 "youngsters" may have been on to something.

The report above was used to try to shame people into realizing that global warming wasn't just effecting the children of the future but was also effecting the welfare of the children of today:

"The most feared consequences of global warming included poor health, the possible submergence of entire countries and the welfare of animals."

Haven't had enough yet? June 10, 2007, Green Living Tips Weblog posted this:

"A report released by the Australian Childhood Foundation today brings to light some very disturbing fears held by many of the 600 children aged between 10-14 years surveyed.

Other key findings:

• Over half are scared that there will be a lack of water in the future
• 44% of children are worried about climate change
• 43% of children are worried about air and water pollution

What is disturbing to me is that the Green Living Tips Web blog uses the fear indoctrinated into children as a reason for adults to react:

"25% of children recently surveyed believe the world will end before they reach adulthood. If that's not a wake up call for the wider community about our environment, I don't know what is."

Children did not get so obsessed and psychotic about climate change that they can't sleep at night and believe the world will end before they reach adulthood on their own. Someone taught them to live with this level of fear, someone with another motive. I think it's sick, myself.


I believe in good stewardship of the planet and in saving money by conserving energy.

It just makes good hillbilly common sense.

I just think it's unconscionable to use children as a tool by instilling such fear in them in an effort to cause parents and other adults to do what extremist environmentalists want them to do, "for the children."