Why I think Agenda Review Meetings of Toledo City Council audio should be online…
Granted, not many of us pay attention to the television viewing of the actual Toledo City Council meetings, but as the City of Toledo discusses providing a way to stream Toledo City Council Meetings on the City website, as was suggested in the past and was again recently suggested by Councilman Collins; so that those who did miss or did not record the twice a month meetings, could watch, I think this is a good time to bring this up. Most of the behind the scenes discussions on these issues take place in Agenda Review meetings as opposed to what we see every two weeks, if you wonder why some of these things are voted on without comment? It’s because they’ve been discussed, at times in great detail, with very few of us knowing who supported what or who didn’t support what, and why. In addition, the dissension and some of the demonstration of the basic lack of respect is clear at times when you listen to the audio of these Agenda Review Meetings.
The recent discussion over whether it was appropriate or not for Council President Mark Sobczak and Councilman George Sarantou to meet with members of the Midwest Retailer’s Association over the convenience store legislation that is currently under litigation is just one example of how heated things get between the members.
I have the audio available online for those who want to listen, if you are going to only listen to one of the audio selections, I recommend number four, I suggest listening to all, but number four speaks for itself once you listen.
Sometimes I think when there are no cameras it’s easy to forget that some of us are listening, hence, why I believe if the streaming is to take place that Agenda Review should be shared available online. I’d love to see the Committee Meetings taped as well, I don’t believe they are currently taped, I’d love to see Agenda Review video taped, but I realize that would be an additional cost factor. That is why at a minimum, since there is audio of these meetings, I don’t see why the audio files from Agenda Review could not be made available online and since we have the recording capability, that Committee meetings also be recorded. If the City has the technology to put the audio on CD’s for those who request a copy, we should have the ability to put them online. It would extremely enhance the transparency and accountability…
Clip one of discussion on Convenience Store Legislation (This is the longest portion of the discussion.)
Clip two of discussion on Convenience Store Legislation
Clip three of discussion on Convenience Store Legislation
Clip four of discussion on Convenience Store Legislation
While I know many of you read and comment on my coverage of City Council Meetings, if you could listen or watch the parts that interested you online on the City website, would you take advantage of that?
First off – thanks for always taking so much of your time for reporting all this. Many folks, due to having a daytime job, can’t attend. And your coverage allows everyone to stay informed.
I try to attend as many meetings as possible, but sometimes that just doesn’t work out. If it weren’t for your coverage I probably wouldn’t know half of what’s happening. IF the city were to truly join the 21st century and place audio (at a minimum) on their website that would be a tremendous help.
Perhaps with that option available many residents wouldn’t feel so hog-tied when it comes to getting involved. I believe that much of the apathy that has a grip on Toledoans is due to a lack of information available at their convenience. But maybe that is the ultimate plan – keep the voters in the dark until the absolute last minute and then do what they want anyway.
Just imagine the input that could come from an engaged and informed public! Holy crap, Batwoman! We could become a city that is accountable to the stakeholders! Yikes!
August 8th, 2008 at 7:49 amCurses…you figured out what is my evil plot…
We could become a city that is accountable to the stakeholders!
That’s what has driven me to keep doing this and to keep pushing for more.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:53 amHaving attended a number of agenda meetings in the past, they are more interesting and tell the story better than you would get at any Council meeting. In many cases there are city employees and others that provide information and testimony that you would never hear during the council meetings.
It is also interesting to see who asks questions or is silent and what those questions are.
I fully support having these audio files on line. Not only could you listen to them on current issues, but they would be great for future reference when a council person says I never heard that before or when was this discussed….. We could simply say on such and such date and according to the records you were in attendance when it was discussed – were you listening?
I’ve suggested this in the past to council members. Maybe a few emails, calls, etc. would help.
As to accountability, elected officials have for years attempted to skirt the responsibility. Why do you think meetings are always held when most of us can’t attend or on very short notice with no agenda so we don’t know what will be discussed. And that is but the tip of the iceberg.
August 8th, 2008 at 10:06 amExactly Steven, and I think with the current discussion on streaming the video the time is now to demonstrate the online access to the Agenda Review meetings would be a great addition.
I’ve mentioned this to a few of the current council members, and I plan to talk to Councilman Collins about it as well. Any of you who would also contact Council to ask for this would be greatly appreciated.
August 8th, 2008 at 10:19 amI think you have a good idea.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:51 pm