In One Ear, and In the Other

What a city, Bloggy. If you didn't attend last Tuesday's City Council meeting (or if you did), you can download the entire meeting from the City's website (18 min. w/dsl), or listen to the proceedings agenda item by item.

The topics that received the most discussion were Item 6.4, a Resolution Supporting Illinois General Assembly House Bill 4316 expanding the City's ability to create Enterprise Zones, and Item 6.5, an Ordinance Amending Title Two (2) of the Carbondale Revised Code as it relates to Alcoholic Liquor and After Hours Special Events.

As this is being written, the wisdom of hiring Livingston Group lobbyist Bernie Robinson is being questioned (in my headset) by Councilman Joel Fritzler (who's ag'in' it), but Mayor Brad Cole gives sound reasons for hiring his former associate, in the discussion of item 6.3. The rest of the Council agreed with Cole.

As this is being written, Councilman Fritzler is objecting to possibly expanding and redefining and extending the City's Enterprise Zone capability. If a bill sponsored by State Rep. Mike Bost, is passed, City Council would have one year to identify, expand and extend Enterprise Zones within the city limits. Fritzler is ag'in' it, again: gives his reasons, and City Manager Jeff Doherty gives his. Truth be told, Councilman Fritzler's main objection is lack of "openness" of the process -- a theme sounded later by Councilwoman Sheila Simon, who thinks the Council should have been informed sooner than a month ago. Undeterred, Cole stated (at different times, but spliced together in this sound byte. You can hear the different tone of voice): Council was informed and the bill will benefit the City. The rest of City Council agreed with the Mayor, so the resolution supporting HB 4316 was passed 5-2.

Unfortunately, the split vote could send the wrong message to Springfield -- that Carbondale does not fully support enterprising endeavors. If Bost's bill isn't passed, Joel and Sheila's vote against supporting it (especially Ms. Simon's) may be the reason why -- unless they change their tune (as Sheila hints she may).

The next item -- about allowing 18 year olds into alcohol-free event after midnight -- also elicited concerned comments from Council members, including Wissmann, who would charge more at the door in order to discourage getting "very happy" in the parking lot between 10pm-midnight. But Councilman Lance Jack, sounds like he may be hosting -- or at least attending -- after-hours events himself, as passionately as he speaks on the subject. It must have been his idea to introduce this legislation, with help of the mayor (His three pitches for the revised ordinance can be heard, one after another, by clicking hear. (The revised ordinance is available in pdf format).

For his part, Mayor Cole was ambivalent about the new regulations, believing the rules are stiffer for people who do not drink alcohol than for those who do. The roll call vote began three "No's" in a row: McDaniel, Simon, Fritzler, followed by a Yes by Jack and Wissmann (responding to LJ's "clarion call" despite serious reservations about 18 year olds getting very happy in the parking lot) . . . would Haynes vote "No"? Would he? Did he? (You may already know, but a record may have been set for the longest pause before voting on record. What was he thinking? Had he dashed out to the men's room?)

Other items selected as Audios Amigos sound clips: Councilman Wissmann's expression of concern for the dispossessed of the South 51 Business District (where Arnold's Market is located -- a victim of highway relocation, but not in the City Limits). Also Councilman Lance Jack's official comic routine: "I'd Like to Make a Motion" and Cole's unedgy complaint to those who want to change things at the last minute." Ironically, one of those to whom the Mayor directed his comment (Simon) has been public in her disagreement with the mayor's modus operandi (way of getting things done) by leaving members of City Council out of the process until they have a need to know. Sheila thinks she (we) need to know sooner. Joel Fritzler thinks he should have been informed before Bost introduced the bill in the House.

You wouldn't think that City Council meetings could be so much fun, would you, Bloggy? Thanks to Mark Jones at City Hall for making the audio files of the meeting available uncut, as well as agenda item by item. So you can download the entire meeting and listen to it while you write your blog, or on your IPod as you walk your dog, or give your legs a jog.

See you On The Square, Bloggee.