MINDsight

THOUGHTS FROM MY CORNER

Moosehorn Lake, High Uintahs June 2017
(c) Robin M Johnson, 2017

Now and then some of my thoughts may find their way into print that I feel are worth sharing. 

I will try to the best of my ability to save my opinion for this page and keep my articles on the home page as fair, factual, and unbiased as I possibly can. 

Thanks for visiting this page and sharing in my view of our community. 

October 18, 2017

Thoughts on Life as a City Council Member 

by Robin Johnson

PREFACE:  Ballots for the General Election 2017 began being mailed in Wasatch County Tuesday. The time for making a decision is fast approaching. Some will vote early by mail and others will wait until Election day draws near. This article will focus on the circumstances City Council members face as they step into a decision making role on behalf of citizens in their city.

Before casting a vote I think it is worth taking some time to consider the nature of challenges faced by city officials. The same circumstances will apply to candidates whether they are currently serving the city or have yet to step into that role after elected. The only difference being that an elected official already knows what it's like to work under these conditions while the untried candidate has yet to learn. I readily admit this is written from an outside observer's perspective. It is also not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share any thoughts you have on the subject.

ARTICLE:  There is currently a feeling from some in our community that council members do not study issues facing the city. These feelings are based on recent citizen comments I have read or heard in the last few days, such as these: 

• One, a citizen asked a council member a question and the council member responded something like, “I haven’t had time to study the issue yet.” This citizen decided the council member must be too busy or didn't care about studying issues. 
• Two, a citizen watched council members ask questions of staff members to learn more about the issue being discussed in a city meeting. Council members were referred to look in a packet of information prepared for council members by the city staff. From this observation the citizen concluded since council members appeared not to know what was in the packet that council members must not look at their packets before meetings.

Taking a closer look could offer insight into the nature of the council's job and what it requires of them. First, they are elected to part time positions. Second, they are people who step out of society and offer public service to their community. Third, most hold full or part time jobs alongside their city service which is given in their off duty hours. Fourth, they may also have family, church and other social obligations. Fifth, no matter who is elected to office each one is expert in their fields of experience and not in other fields. Finally, yes they are compensated for their time but most of us agree the job is worth much more than it pays. 

For these reason I believe professional advisors are hired to help the council conduct city business with healthy and sound practices. In Midway City it is currently the job of Michael Henke, city planner, Wes Johnson, city engineer, Corbin Gordon, city attorney, and Brad Wilson, city recorder (CPA) to apprise the council of important details pertaining to the various items on the agenda and to the state and city ordinances as they relate to their specific professions. These professionals are interviewed, selected, and hired by the city council

City staff provides a packet of information for council members to study before each council meeting, Packets are received days before the scheduled meeting, after Public Notice of the meeting agenda is posted one week prior to the meeting. Council members have a limited amount of time to study the items provided by their hired professionals. They must schedule time for study into their hours free from other obligations. This could result in a council member finding available time for study very close to the appointed meeting time and appearing unprepared when asked about an item only a few days before the meeting. 

In city meetings the council and staff discuss agenda items openly allowing council members to ask clarifying questions from information in their packets and more fully informing both the council and the public. Often council members are referred to their packet to review what they already studied as their questions are answered. Question and review are time honored study methods and, given the limited study time available, are both good practices to ensure sound decisions are made.

Citizens can also access packet information on the planning commission agenda page of the city website in the far right column. While the city council packets are not posted on the city website, each item on the council’s agenda previously went to the planning commission. Simply look for the same item on the commission’s agenda, then opening the packet associated with that agenda.

I feel it is a sign of great leadership to be willing to ask questions for better understanding of an issue before a decision is made. Other signs are a willingness to listen to sound advice given by trusted advisors and a willingness to listen to the public. Perhaps the greatest sign of a great leader is wisdom like that of Solomon, being able to listen to all sides and mitigate the issues or find the middle ground, by looking for the truth and doing the right thing even though it is tough. 

The beauty of our system is that anyone from any walk of life can step into public service and bring their perspective, strengths, and skills to the table. No matter who becomes mayor or who gets a seat on the council for the next four years the city will be in good hands because the city staff will be there doing their job to help laymen with limited time understand pertinent details on city issues from their respective professions. Additionally the city will benefit from each elected official's own unique set of qualities as they serve the public. 

Please study the issues and vote for the candidates you feel are best qualified to work on the council under these conditions. Thank you to all our current council members for their service to our community. Thank you to the candidates, you are all passionate, visionary, and hard working. Midway City has excellent candidates to chose from this time around.