Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Votes at a glance: Washington council appointments, phones, Brightwood assistance and failed nonprofit funding motion
Summary
The council approved appointments including a one-year city attorney term, OK'd optional city-funded phones and utility assistance rules for Brightwood residents, and narrowly rejected reinstating funding for two 501(c)(3) groups in a 3-3 vote.
At its Jan. 12 meeting, the Washington City Council recorded a series of motions and votes affecting appointments, communications, local assistance and ethics procedures.
Appointments and administrative votes: The council unanimously appointed Adam Nelson as city attorney for a one-year term and approved a slate of board and committee appointments, including naming Chelya Silva to the Housing Authority. A motion to provide optional city-funded cell phones and service plans for council members passed unanimously after a seconded motion by Councilman Calvin J. Wiggs III and Councilwoman Kimberly J. Rainey.
Utility assistance: The council unanimously approved a process for Brightwood Community residents whose utility bills were elevated while they were displaced to contact the city clerk for case-by-case review; the city administrator will propose budget sources to fund assistance.
Nonprofit funding motion fails: A motion by Councilman Larry Hill to reinstate funding for WCCP and 4E Youth Organization failed on a 3-3 vote (Councilmen Newton Gunter and David Fisher and Councilwoman Susan Branan voted no). The debate centered on a standing policy not to fund 501(c)(3) organizations and inconsistent treatment of the Animal Shelter; the city administrator was asked to check the shelter's 501(c)(3) status.
Ethics ordinance: Councilman David Fisher moved to abolish the current ethics ordinance and draft a stronger version, but the effort stalled and the matter was tabled because a member would not vote without a replacement to review; council noted that the city charter would require state legislative amendment to support a stronger charter-based ordinance.
Executive session and other business: The council entered executive session to discuss two litigation matters and took no action in closed session. The meeting concluded with routine adjournment.
Votes at a glance: approval of Dec. 8 minutes (approved 4-2); move public comments on agenda (approved unanimous after tie-break); appoint city attorney Adam Nelson (unanimous); board appointments (unanimous); cell phones (unanimous); Brightwood assistance (unanimous); reinstate nonprofit funding (failed 3-3).
