08-09-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Member Stigney stated that as a Council Member he requested a document. He inquired if, as was his understanding of Mayor Coughlin's motion, he could not request a document from the City unless he obtained prior Council approval. Mayor Coughlin stated this was correct, if the document that is being requested was not specifically germane to an upcoming meeting, the request should be brought before the Council. Council Member Stigney stated that he totally disagreed with this. He stated he was an elected official, and if he desired to have access to any document in the City for whatever purpose, whether for the next meeting, next year's meeting, or whatever purpose he deems necessary, he views it within his purview as an elected official to request that document from the City. He added he expects to get it, unless it, for some reason is an extremely long document, however, any normal document that he requests in his business as a Council Member he believes he should have access to. Mayor Coughlin stated that this was circumventing the will of this Council and the policy set forth by the City. Council Member Stigney stated that he totally disagreed with this. He stated, in his opinion, this particular document should have automatically been provided to the entire Council as soon as it became available. He stated it was a TIF financing document that was compiled and completed at the end of 1998. He reiterated that as soon as this document came available the Council should have • had it. Mayor Coughlin inquired if all documents that come to the City should therefore be immediately provided to Council Members. Council Member Stigney stated, in light of the upcoming budget discussion, he thought this was a primary concern document. Mayor Coughlin inquired who was to determine what is a primary concern document. Council Member Stigney stated, as he had requested it, he has obviously determined it was a primary concern. He stated that if the Charter Chair requested it, she had determined it is a primary concern. Mayor Coughlin stated that they must set some priorities. He noted the Council has set aside some agenda items, as they have deemed other things more important. He stated if there are only a certain number of staff hours in the day, and if a good deal of those are tied up in looking for particular items such as this, it reduces the amount of staff time left to do the will of the full Council. He stated he was not denying that the information could be requested, however, there needs to be a policy in place. He stated that nobody on the Council should come in as a maverick and order things to be done. He stated if you hear objections from a particular resident, it is incumbent upon the Council and its membership to inform them that they can request the information, however, they must recognize that there is going to be some lead time required. He stated the will of the Council should be primary. Council Member Stigney stated that Mayor Coughlin was overreacting to a matter of which he had • no first hand knowledge. Mayor Coughlin stated this was in regard to taxpayer's money that is being 32 C:\ADMIN\MINUTES\CC\8-09-99.CC