Voice of Longmont  

The atmosphere here at the Longmont City Council meeting ranges from wry humor to downright venom depending on the subject.  Throughout the evening (and it's only 9pm) several of the council members "kindly" disagree on many of the issues being put forward.  It's difficult to understand how they can get anything done when they disagree with each other so much.  Although I have to say that I'd rather have a diverse council than one that goes only in one direction. 

I would recommend to the City Council that they allow the public to comment prior to beginning the evenings issues and prior to voting on any issues. 

Currently Mayor Pro Tem Karen Benker has requested that $100,000 come out of the Public Safety fund to be used for firefighting equipment for the Clover Basin area.  Santos has disagreed with most of the things that have been said tonight and right now is no exception.  The reason why Mayor Pro Tem Benker has suggested this is because of an earlier public comment by Peggy Worsen (I've probably got that spelling incorrectly) requesting that this $100,000 be taken out of this account.  There is not a city attourney here to counter if this is a legal thing to do or not.  I suppose that this comes down to two different issues:  1.  This tax went in through a vote and 2. The city attourney is the one that needs to be contacted to see if this is even legal.  It looks like there is a clause that allows the council to take money out of the safety fund and use it for firefighting equipment.  Mayor Lang has also stated that he doesn't believe that this money should be taken out of the Public Safety Fund(PSF).  Mayor Pro Tem Benker has requested that finance takes a look at the PSF and since we have such a large excess (apprx. $2,000,000) that we may need to remove the tax to the PSF and give it back to the community.  So, instead of just pulling everything out and handing it back, try to figure out what the maximum amount of money would be needed if a major emergency came to Longmont.  

There's also the issue about changing the budget at the last minute by Council Member Blue.  She stated that she is upset by these actions.  Amen Sister!!!

Council Member Levison moves that the planning staff in the community development staff be cut by 40%.  The motion was not seconded.

Moving money for the victims advocate fund from the general emergency fund.  Passes.

Publication - Pro Tem Benker wants $30,000 from the marketing budget and the rest from the general fund. Cost of the newsletter $126,000.  Council member Levison requests $76,000.  Confusing let me tell ya!  And I'm right here.

Council Member Levison is requestiong that a $1.00 fee per month for everyone that participates in the utility billing system and that funding go to parks and rec. - okay - that failed - Thank God!  That's it - bring it to us!

Council Member Hansen has requested that a volunteer coordinator be acquired in order to do the work in the parks and rec in order to avoid the costs.  There is a Boulder County volunteer organization and since some of Longmont is already in Boulder County, utilize the resources already there.

Mayor Lang has made a point after the upteenth issue that the council is arguing about yet again.  Business is simply not happening.  I can feel his frustration as I sit here listening to all the back and forth.  MAKE IT STOP!!!  He said we have almost 2 more hours of work and he wants to get this done.  Way to go Lang!!!

Okay - CIP funds have come from donated funds as well as from the lottery funds but need more from the genral fund(?)  How much is needed?   It will be funded.

$3.8 million for a bath house (phase I) funded for 2009 phase II redesign of parking lot and clubhouse at Sunset Golf Course  (yea for me!!)  Changing of greens, pool changes for teens and preschoolers.  Partially funded.  Past the bath house nothing is funded.  Not a chance to fund this past the bath house.

Okay, now their talking about the Entryway signs for the City of Longmont.  Isn't the sculpture a type of sign for the entry to the city?  They (the city) is talking about replacing the hand-lettered signs and putting up a sign and one with electronic messaging.  Council member Levison has requested that this motion remain unfunded until such a time as a "Brand" for the city can be found.

Playground restoration program.  All 33 playgrounds will be refurbished. Beginning with the worst ones first.  passed.

Centennial Pool - renovation - currently unfunded. Reason - to better handle the professional swim team.   Mayor Lang, "What is the price of leisure?"  Still talking and it's now 10:21pm.  Not really sure how long I can hang with this tonight since life (and the hubby) are calling.  A move to partially fund the project (the master plan) Passes.

Yawns from me.... going late but moving along now.

Okay, I have to say this is the first time that I've been at a city council meeting and I'm not sure but that next time I may just Tevo it and fast forward hours at a time.....

So, when you decide that it might be a good time to answer emails and do paperwork is it time to go???

I think so.  I'll hang for another 20 minutes if I can.....Really, now council member levison wants to try to find funds from somewhere to fund some other smaller issues - oh good God! It didn't get seconded and we're all thankful.  Who knew that coming here tonight would be so ...um... entertaining?

Okay, now it's duct cleaning - $50,000 for it... for one year... cleaning out ducts man say what???

OMG!  Everyone has that dazed look now.  Good thing they have coffee... oh wait... it may all be gone.... NOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh trust me I'm gonna be talking about this meeting on the show on Monday!

So the question being asked now by ... you guessed it... Levison is where do we get the money to do restoration on the building?  Let's start thinking in a new way - let's find ways to make money for the city - I don't know what that would be, but we have amazing, brilliant minds living here in Longmont that can figure this out.  Can't we add space to our newsletter calling out the brilliant minds?  Step up and let the public know what we don't have the money for any longer.  People have pet projects and personal preferences that I KNOW they would love to be able to offer.  STEP UP LONGMONT!!  (Oh yes, great promotional phrase - I'll offer that one to the city free of charge!)

Woo Hoo!  Who would have thought that I would have so much fodder for the show through the council meeting?

Two hours on the blog and three here..... tick tock tick tock council!

Okay - there might be a motion to adjourn.... nope - false hope.  I think I'm going to close for tonight and watch the rest later on comcast channel 3.  I'm going to miss the rest of the budget for tonight and the second public call to speak but home, bed and my love await.  Until Monday..... Make it a red letter day!