The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Shaina D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Tactics - Observe a Local Meeting
I attended the Beverly Hills council meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2009.
Before the meeting began we (my mom and I) were greeted by the Beverly Hills public safety director I had interviewed, Karl Woodard. After our quick hellos we took our seats and soon after the person in charge of the camera gave the count down and the meeting began. The first thing that was done was the roll call. The members present were: John Mooney, Ron Berndt, Rosanne Koss, Jon Oen, Walter Briggs, village attorney Tom Ryan, village manager Chris D. Wilson, recording secretary Sue Bernard, and council president Todd Stern. After the roll call we recited the pledge of allegiance. Next the council approved the agenda. Than it was time for public comments and one woman spoke.
The consent agenda was next. Part 'a' of the consent agenda was to "review and consider approval of minutes of a regular meeting held July 21, 2009." The minutes were approved and the council moved on to part 'b' of the consent agenda which was, "Review and file bills recapped as of Monday, August 3, 2009."
Next was the business agenda. Ron Berndt presented part 'a' of the agenda which was the "third announcement of two alternative vacancies on the zoning board of appeals." Mr. Berndt spoke to all the observers in the room about the vacancies on the zoning and the need for applicants for the job of being temporary replacements when a member couldn’t be present. The council next moved to part 'b', "Review and consider application for SMART Fiscal Year 2010 Municipal and Community Credit Agreement." Next part 'c,' "Review and consider resolution accepting gift from Virginia Watson's Trust", 'd', "Review and consider final payment for Contract #w-04-01 2004 Watermain Replacement Project", and 'e', "Review and consider requesting bids for wood chips for play are and seal coating the parking lot and repainting the park lines at the shop."
They ended with public comments and then reports from the manager and council. Karl Woodard gave a report on public safety. He told everyone about theft that had been taking place in the area. Three teenagers had been stealing things from inside people’s cars. They were able to arrest two of them because a woman saw them carrying flash lights in her neighborhood. When they arrested the boys they told of a third person involved and public safety was able to arrest him later. After the reports were given the meeting ended.
Personal Observation: A Local Meeting
Our village council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. We had attempted to attend a meeting on a previous Tuesday, but unfortunately due to a lack of a quorum, the meeting was canceled. The evening was not wasted, however, because we were able to meet a man who was running for a position on the council, and he explained the process to us. Our next attempt was successful. We arrived at our council meeting early and were relieved to see that others were arriving as well.
After entering the meeting chamber, I took the opportunity to introduce myself to one of the council members, and to ask for his signature on my verification form. As I approached, a gentleman came up behind me and waited to get my attention. I didn’t recognize him at first, but soon realized that he was Karl Woodard, the Village Public Safety Director that I had interviewed. I enjoyed talking to him again. He said that he expected to see me at one of the meetings as I had told him all about the Ambassador League and SSI.
I enjoyed attending the local meeting more than I had expected. I was surprised to see how many people actually attended. I especially enjoyed the public comments portion which allowed the villagers to voice their opinions; it was a welcome demonstration of the freedom of speech. One woman seemed as though she were no stranger to the process. Many of the council members appeared to know who she was, and chuckled when she stood to speak; however, her comments were well received.
By attending the local council meeting, I was able to gain a better understanding of some of our more recent news headlines. I now realize that the tea parties and town hall meetings that are taking place across the nation, are simply local communities joining together to make their voices heard. If our federal government cannot or will not institute a public comments session, citizens must insist that our concerns are not overlooked. The importance of government on the local level cannot be overstated.
I found the transparency of the local government refreshing. Some of the most important changes take place within our local communities. After observing the meeting I can say I would like to attend another in the near future.
