George,

There is a problem with the way the public is notified of ordinances that come before City Council.

Many of us get an E Mail from Jeannie Cox in the Mayor's office notifying us about the agenda for council meetings. Others get there information on the cities web site. But the actual ordinance is not provided in either of these methods, and one must work to get a copy of any proposed ordinance before a council meeting. Though the city may attempt to notify interested parties, it often fails in this endeavor.

One such example is the cafe ordinance, which had a first reading 2 weeks ago, and was passed this Monday night. EXISTING Cafe owners were handed a copy of the ordinance, put property owners were never given a copy, unless they were also happened to be a cafe owner. Any property that has a cafe has an added financial value to the owner.

So at the first reading, property owners were unaware that the ordinance would have an impact on them. Once the were aware of the issue, they could no longer offer any public comment., because the rules of council only allow for public comment on the first reading. This is an absurd way to run a government. The system is set up to inhibit real dialoque and input for all interested parties.

The problem is further compounded in that one can not even get the minutes of the public reading of the ordinance, before council votes 2 weeks later, because it takes 4-6 weeks for the minutes to be available.

Obviously there is a failure in the system.

I would like to ask the two democratic candidates to say if they would support a change in procedure, including:

1) a copy of all ordinances is included in all notifications of meetings, and on the web site, no less than 10 days before a council meeting;

2) to post unapproved minutes on the city web site within 7 days of a council meeting and to include these with all notifications of council meetings; and to

3) commit to further review of Council Procedures to ensure adequate public notification, and a true attempt to keep the public informed in a timely fashion.

Open Government was part of the DEMS for change [Priority Action Agenda] that Alexandria endorsed. Blake did not endorse the [Priority Action Agenda], but I would hope this is a piece that he can accept. And I would further ask Kevin & Maurice, as members of the Dems for Change to comment on this as well.

Yours,

Joan Fenton (electronic mail, March 6, 2002)