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31. corbi328
    Member

    Elisa,

    One of the problems with the minutes from the commision meetings is that the minutes have to be recorded by one of the commission members. There is no secretary or clerk. I have found it is very hard to keep good minutes if you are actively involved in the discussion during that particular meeting. This is compunded by the reality that these minutes are not submitted for approval on a timely basis and as a result a backlog starts developing. Not an excuse but it might explain some of the issues you have identified.

    Posted Thursday Jan 18, 2007 23:38 #

32. Elisa
    Member

    Thanks for your explanation. It does make sense, although I find it ironic that controversial meetings - or rather meetings that have the potential to be controversial (I don't know how controversial they actually are b/c of the minutes issue...) are the ones that don't get submitted. I believe that it would be tricky to keep track of the discussions. (Although a backlog since August is pretty jammed!) As I learn more about the structure of meetings, and rules, etc., I am surprised that there is no official state requirement for keeping minutes of public governmental bodies more current - especially with that new Open Meetings Act. I mean, they have to be open to the public within a certain time frame once they are approved ~ but is there a similar time frame for getting them approved in the first place?

    Posted Thursday Jan 18, 2007 23:54 #

33. Catherine
    Member

    This is nonsense. The requirement that minutes be posted within 7 days of approval presumes their prompt and timely approval. Hence the 7 day requirement. I am sure the Attorney General has issued an Opinion on her website on this matter should any care to clear it up. There are few things more important in democratic government than its transparency. Whoever cannot appoint a secretary can use an audio or video recording and file it at the library, as a verbatim transcript trumps minutes. You are fortunate not to have to deliver a verbatim transcript, as I believe you should. As it is, no secretary, no meeting.

    Posted Friday Jan 19, 2007 09:01 #

34. corbi328
    Member

    While some may find my explaination ridiculous, I do think it is the root cause of the problem. I have been told by others with experience in municipal governement that they have never heard of another municipality that asks its commision members to take the minutes. I think most of these problems would go away if we could have community residents volunteer their time to act as the keepers of the minutes at commission meetings. I think we would all be very appreciative. Any volunteers?

    Posted Friday Jan 19, 2007 10:55 #

35. Catherine
    Member

    Yes, I volunteer you.

    Posted Friday Jan 19, 2007 22:49 #

36. MikeT
    Member

    Anyone - what village meetings are videotaped and are the videotapes available for borrowing?

    all?
    board only?
    commissions?

    thanks

    miket

    Posted Saturday Jan 20, 2007 01:35 #

37. spatny
    Member

    "We cannot judiciously attempt to control the form of the houses which men shall build, we can only, at most, take care that if they build very ugly and inappropriate houses, they shall not be allowed to force them disagreeably upon our attention when we desire to pass along the road upon which they stand." FLO

    Too bad the VC is going in where it is. Now we all have to suffer its ugliness every day.

    Posted Saturday Jan 20, 2007 22:58 #

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