Another discussion transpired over developing a new application and appointment process for city hall committees.
JG Excerpt:
Bill Truman was enthusiastic about the applications, and he said that the council typically received a name and no other information about the candidates they were expected to approve.
"Who appoints the committee on committees?" City Manager Sheiffer asked.
Appoint? Why appoint? Just use a hat.
"Put a letter out there that we’re looking for five or seven people for this committee for appointment. Have them come in – put their names in a hat just like we do for our names on the ballot. The first seven people (chosen) – you’re on the committee. It would be fair and there would be no politics in it or nothing" – Councilman Bill TrumanA few people chuckled at Truman's statement of honest and blunt transparency. However, there’s nothing funny about stacking committees with friends and screening others out simply for personal reasons, politics or because they don’t think quite the same way. What better way to shape an outcome then to have all your buddies and family appointed by one person or even a few. The truth is, Councilman Truman's suggestion was absolutely right on. I wasn't laughing.
Two other councilmen appeared wanting to over-complicate matters with a formal application questionnaire and screening process. One suggested the question “why do think you’re qualified to be on the committee?” deserves the answer, "what are the qualities of disqualification?" To be fair, people have the right to know that before they apply.
But what are the qualifications to be on a committee? Other than being a resident in the City of Janesville – none. And that’s the way it should be. And other than to make sure applicants are of sound mind (and not a felon) and would swear under oath to an understanding that no conflicts of interests exist – no questions need to asked. After an applicant meets those basic qualifications, their initiative to apply is reason enough to make them the most qualified candidate. Their names should be placed in a hat and chosen first come, first serve. No need for final approval.
The people on city hall committees should be comprised of a continuous and randomly chosen cross-section of the general population, and serving on a committee should be no different than serving on a jury. Regular folk with regular concerns who want to help make a positive difference. Once they fulfill all committee duties in good faith, their name should go back into the hat to serve on other committees, if they so choose. But if you're looking at their education, employment background or whether they're experts in the field, hire a licensed professional or a consultant.
Truman said pulling names out of a hat was the "old gamble approach." Perhaps it is, but in this case, it’s the safest bet.
Once again, I have to give some of the council members high marks for trying to prop up Janesville’s antiquated if not minimalist form of government with additional community involvement.
In other council business, the city council unanimously passed the new landscape approval ordinance which appeared to be a hastily written expansion of the noxious weed ordinance. There were no provisions or interest expressed on sustainable landscaping or environmental concerns. Just another slam dunk document ordaining the city bureaucracy another opportunity to assault our privacy and property rights. Oddly, Janesville residents don't seem too concerned over any of this unless it directly involves their wallet.
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