The second Agenda item I want to discuss is:
Board and Commission Reform
Isanti must have advisory boards and commissions that are above reproach. Members should have no financial ties to development that could cloud there judgment. Board and commission members should be Citizens of Isanti.
I propose the following:
Board and Commission Member should be Isanti Citizens
Eliminate Conflicts of Interest
Continuing Education for Appointees
City Council Perfoming EDA Role
To learn more about my Agenda go to:
Footnote:
Eliminating Conflicts of Interest has nothing to do with whether a member lives in Isanti out out side of Isanti. They are not link items.
4 comments:
why would you not have residents only on the boards???
It was explained to me that members from outside the City limits were allowed on the boards and commissions when the population was small to get other expertise.
This excuse is no longer valid. We have quite a bit of talent in our city boundries to fill any spot that comes open.
So, if I read this correctly, you are more than willing to have the city benefit from say a business owner that pays taxes to the city but happens to live just outside the city proper, but would not allow them to participate in the political process.
I believe that they call that taxation without representation which resulted in the "Boston Tea Party".
I understand that this is a slight stretch as to the magnitude, but I believe that the principles are sound.
Business and industry are responsible for providing jobs for your residents as well as significantly reducing the tax base for the citizen homeowners.
Just because may choose to live just outside the city limits should not preclude them from particpating.
Those same folks that you look to isolate are also largely responsible for the bulk of the charitable giving that helps make our city what it is.
You say that you want to "Clean up"
the council and commisions by eliminating non-residents.
Is there a problem with current non-residents that hold these positions?
What ever happened to the diversity of ideas principle?
It's beginning to sound a bit incestuous around here.
Oh where to start...first having residents on the boards and commissions does not solve the conflict of interest issue. They are not link...we have current conflicts of interest with people serving that are residents.
The point of "taking" their money but not allowing to serve is a bit curious. This could also be used to let them vote, which of course is illegal.
The idea that one individual business owner, assuming the out side individual would own a business, could represent the whole business community is false. I would rather see the Isanti Chamber select an individual to represent the whole and have that person sit with a board or commission.
This gets to a greater reform need. I would like to see the Chamber of Commerce be more active in City Government. Only this way can truly help Isanti's Businesses.
The entire Marketing budget for the Economic Development Authority is $4,400.
Their is no plan to bring in complimenting businesses in to Isanti.
Main Street has been hurt time and time again.
Zoning requirements have cost Isanti Businesses unnecessary cost.
These are only some of the issues that need to be reformed. The Current EDA has now this fall begun to look at Main Street and the Planning Commission at my instigation has created a sub-committee to work on Commercial and Industrial ordinances.
You are worried about the effect on Isanti Businesses then lets work together to fix these problems.
The current system is broken. I present ideas for discussion. I am more than happy to be proven wrong but let’s have the debate.
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