Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:24 p.m. · 5 items · 11 votes · 20 public comments
What happened
- Rejected new rules for placing items on council agendas 4-3 (Beckles, Butt, McLaughlin dissenting).
- Approved $175,000 contract with attorney for police code enforcement cases 4-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Heard proposal to ban single-use plastic bags with paper bag fees.
- Heard proposal to ban contractors from asking about criminal history.
- Approved extending Enterprise car rental contract for police vehicles.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(2 items)
Extend Enterprise car rental contract for police department vehicles
In Plain English
The police department rents vehicles from Enterprise through a state program that expires June 30. The extension covers temporary vehicles when police cars need repairs or during peak demand periods. If approved, the city spends up to $173,000 on rentals for the next year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract and direct staff to submit an accounting report of the vehicle program, to include tracking of cars, and all unspent funding would return to the general fund
7 to 0
Hire attorney for $175,000 to handle police code enforcement cases
In Plain English
The Police Department needs legal help with code enforcement violations, problem properties with drug activity, and other legal issues. The city hired attorney Trisha Aljoe for these services in previous years. If approved, she continues this work for one year at $175,000 total cost.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
End debate
3 to 3
Approve legal services agreement with Trisha A. Aljoe
4 to 2
Governance(2 items)
Ban contractors from asking job applicants about criminal history
In Plain English
City contractors currently can ask about criminal convictions during hiring. The new law requires contractors, renters of city property, and aid recipients to wait until later in the hiring process. This gives people with criminal records a better chance at jobs with companies that work for the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Discuss how items get placed on City Council agendas
In Plain English
The council will review their current process for deciding what topics appear on meeting agendas. This affects which issues get public discussion and when residents can weigh in on city matters. The discussion may lead to changes in how agenda items are selected or prioritized.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Coordinate a retreat to discuss this item
3 to 3
Environment(1 item)
Ban single-use plastic bags and require 5-10 cent fee for paper bags
In Plain English
Stores can no longer give out plastic bags at checkout. Customers must pay 5-10 cents for each paper bag they need. The city also updates rules about disposable food containers and utensils.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.