Issue 9.16
Part 2
My Friends, the first part of, “Who’s Accountable”, ended on the topic of City Boards and Commissions……That in effect serve as an extension (agents) of City and County Government and as such, are subject to State Statutes that govern “Public Meetings”. This, I believe, includes public notice of meeting date and time.
Following is a list that identifies each Council Person and those Boards and Commissions they have been invited by the Mayor to attend. This may include City Departments that a Council Member may have been invited to interact with city employees.
COUNCILMAN HUGHES:
City Department Water & Energy; Animal Shelter; Flood Control; Housing Authority; Local Homeless Coordinating Committee; MPO-Dixie Transportation Executive Committee; Solid Waste Board; St. George Golf Club Task Force; Police Cat Team Area 6 & 8.
COUNCILWOMAN RANDALL:
City Department Police & Fire; Lower Virgin River Fuels & Fire Board; Shade Tree Board; Solid Waste Board; Veterans Advisory Board; Doctors Volunteer Clinic; Police Cat Team Area 2 & 4.
COUNCILMAN BOWCUTT:
City Department Public Works; Red Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Ad Hoc Committee; Drainage Board; Planning Commission; Snow Canyon Joint Management Commission; Solid Waste Board; Airport Board; Police Cat Team Area 1 & 3.
COUNCILWOMAN ARIAL:
City Department Arts; Art Around the Corner; Arts Commission; Art Museum Board; Historic Preservation Commission; Dixie Center Board – WCIA Board; Dixie MPO; Solid Waste Board; Children’s Museum Board; Police Cat Team Area 5 & 7.
COUNCILMAN BACA:
City Department Leisure Services; Air Quality Task Force; Dinosaur Track Advisory Board; Flood Control; Hillside Review Board; Mosquito Abatement; Police Cat Team Area 9 & 10.
As a concerned citizen you may wish to avail yourself of the opportunity to attend a Board or Commission Meeting. By doing so you may better evaluate city priorities and use of tax dollars.
Folks, please note that City of St. George does not have Council Districts. Each council member serves At Large, meaning the entire city. Citizens should feel free to contact any individual member of council or all of them as they may elect to do. I have established office hours at City Hall making myself available to the public each Thursday between the hours of 9AM to 11AM. Public may phone City Hall Receptionist 627-4000 to schedule appointment or leave message.
As I close my second month on the council I can report to you that I have met often with the Mayor who has initiated contact or when I have availed myself to the open door invitation he has extended to me. As a new member of the city council I am still seeking to learn and develop the best course of action to communicate and exchange information/thoughts and ideas with fellow council members. It appears that most communication is done by e-mail or texting and in a limited form during and after council meetings. It is my hope to expand on this.
I can tell you that I have been very impressed with the demeanor and high caliber of city employees who have been most helpful and friendly. The Mayor has led in this favorable impression as I have watched how he appears to work tirelessly to serve the citizens of St. George. I have found that while we may not agree on every single issue, the Mayor is a good and willing communicator open to thoughts and ideas of others.
For those of you who may not have heard the State of the City Address given by the mayor, I will attempt to pass on his words to the citizens of St. George. Mission statement for city…..We provide services that focus on people and advance a thriving community. Vision statement ….. We are an active community, rich in culture, with a diverse and vibrant economy that supports people doing great things. Values ….. Integrity – We are honest in our actions and communications. Innovation and efficiency – We encourage new ideas and solve challenges in ways that create value for our citizens. Professional and Personable Service – We value those we serve and treat them with respect. Teamwork – We approach opportunities and challenges as a team and find ways to help each other succeed. Excellence – We believe success is achieved by defining and exceeding the expectations of our citizens. The mayor closed with the statement…..MORE HAPPENING AHEAD! The heartbeat of the City of St. George can be found in its committed employees. Men and women engaged in a cause far larger than any single individual. We honor those who tirelessly strive to serve, teach, protect and enhance our community.
My friends, part 3 of this Senior Sample Article will soon follow and will contain an outline of the City Ordinance pertaining to ARTICLE A. CITY MANAGER. 1-7A-1. I intend to provide you with an understanding of the City Managers POWERS AND DUTIES…..With comments on my observations.
Thank You. ED BACA, Councilman, City of St. George.