Letter to editor: Council president exhibits ‘forward thinking’ with appointments
Dear editor:
First I would like to commend Ms. Petso for her forward thinking in ensuring that all councilmembers are educated in the three areas of committee meeting: finance, parks, planning and public works, and finally, public safety and personnel.
To be clear and to debunk what had been said about me, finance wasn’t my first choice of committees but I am a team player and understand the need for all council members to understand the workings of all committees and departments.
I have been trained by the State of Washington to understand hundreds of millions of dollars in yearly budgets and have observed many different working techniques. I have administrated multimillion-dollar budgets within my department. I’ve also spent the last two years serving on parks, planning and public works and have anunderstanding of most land use issues. Personnel and safety issues are also within my expertise of employment for the past 25 years or so.
I look forward to learning much more about our city finances and believe it is my job to understand what all the citizens expect to know of me in the different departmental areas. The committee night meetings are about staff having the ability to talk to council represented and have open, honest communication, coming up with an agreeable project to present to council for FURTHER discussion. Committee meetings are not meant to be the finalized project nor are they meant to be the place where the council manages city departments but in truth having a first look at ways of the city doing better business.
Lastly, change is difficult for people when moving out of their known comfort zones.
I can only see Ms. Petso’s decision as one of truly caring for our city in wanting all all of council to understand the full city and not only our comfort zone. Continuing to flame the fire by suggesting this was unfairly based upon one person’s decision is plain wrong. Other councilmembers were also shifted out of their comfort zone. We have no guarantee when electing council that they have finance background, no more than that of professional land use or safety/personnel experience. Councilmembers do not manage the departments.
The work Ms. Buckshnis has done with the finance committee is wonderful, her energy and knowledge is amazing. The city owes her gratitude for pushing us forward. I look forward to seeing what she can now do on the other committees.
I ask that citizens wait and see the results that may arise from all our committees having new ideas and approaches.
I also look forward to working with Frank Yamamoto, who teaches finance at Edmonds Community College. I’m sure I and the city are in very competent hands.
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Edmonds City Council
My question would be: are council members working in their area of strength? If yes, great. If no, then adjustments need to be made. It really has nothing to do with comfort zone.
I agree 100% with Mike. Council members should bring some expertise to the council or they shouldn’t have been elected. That expertise needs to be matched to a committee assignment. As a citizen, I want council members on committees for the purpose of adding value, not for the purpose of being trained.
This line of discussion makes me think of “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”.
I totally agree with Mike and Ron.
Ron, I’ll have to disagree with you and the others. Citizens ask to be elected to then serve their city/state/nation as needed. Yes one brings skills, experience and interest, but that is no guarantee that committee assignments will always match ones’ background. Those who succeed are people who take what they are given and grow into their assignments. As a now retired federal employee, I understand what Adrienne is saying about her background with financial responsibilities, as it is another facet of overall financial management, just as valid as those of Buckshnis. The City has hired the bean counters and spreadsheet experts, we don’t need duplication @ the Council level, and that’s what we’ve had from Diane. That and meddling, berating and other offensive behaviors. Her ‘crying towel’ letter in the Beacon shows me why this change is needed. Diane Buckshnis’ job now is to ‘man-up’ and be responsible for her new assignments. We don’t always get our way as adults, and tantrums are not the proper response.
Jim:
Both Adrienne Fraley-Monillas and Diane Buckshnis have been city council members since January 2010. I have missed only one council meeting during the three years since then, and I have attended all, except two, of the monthly finance committee meetings during that period of time. What I have witnessed leaves no doubt in my mind that Ms. Buckshnis is the city council member most able to add value to the finance committee.
Jim, in the words of yoggi berra, we agree differently on this one. Efficiency is better achieved when people are working in their strengths. It could very well be that Councilwoman Adrienne will perform smartly in this new role. However, as I am presently working with both the state and federal government, there is nothing that slows progress more than staff changes. Do the pros outweigh the cons in this change? If so, great. And how is or was that measured and determined? In today’s financial climate we need to operate objectively and in the best interest of our city and put “politics” aside.
Forward… INTO THE PAST!
Given our current budget challenges, financial transparency remains critical. And the opportunity for interested citizens to ask questions directly at the end of Finance Committee meetings proved to be helpful in raising the municipal accounting acumen of our citizenry; and ensuring the rationale to finance decisions was clear and not distorted by hearsay. Yet Council Member Fraley-Monillas’s first act on the Finance Committee was to eliminate this opportunity; thereby squelching the voice of the citizenry. What was so disruptive about allowing citizens to ask questions at the end of Finance Committee meetings? It didn’t seem to be a problem when Ms. Buckshnis chaired this committee… and so much progress was made under her leadership.
Municipal government is not a game. It is not kindergarten where all the children get a try. And our city’s financial management remains serious business with many challenges. Each council member brings specific background, skills, and life experiences which they can apply towards the betterment of our city; and to foster a cohesive team. In fact, each council member campaigns on their skills and life experiences that demonstrate how they can contribute to the benefit of the community; and should be trusted to represent the citizenry.
Perhaps next year, the Seahawks should give Russell Wilson a go at middle linebacker… and Marshawn Lynch could play quarterback… after all, they’re both good football players. Of course, a decision like that would be ludicrous. They’re both so accomplished in their respective positions that their individual contributions would be reduced and the whole team would be less successful.
Our community is blessed to have a council member with so much experience in financial auditing and financial regulation; and demonstrated accomplishments and dedication to our city’s financial management. To deny Council Member Buckshnis the opportunity to continue these efforts when there is still so much to do is simply NOT in the best interest of our community.
To not assign the most capable council member to represent us citizens on the Finance Committee simply makes no logical sense. It reeks of drama… and dare I say it… politics; that is, putting politics ahead of the best interests of the community. I thought we were done with DRAMA!- drama that will only serve to promote dissention and reduce the productivity of our council.
Note: As a matter of full disclosure and to be clear, I have supported (and defended) Council Members Petso and Fraley-Monillas in the past. As long as this decision is in place, each of them has lost my support and my confidence.
Rich, I am not so concerned about this change as long as our paid staff and financial managers are doing their work, which includes responding to the public’s questions. I think we’re too hung-up on Council assignments, as there are several buildings with staff doing the daily work to make this government run efficiently. Councilmembers present the skills, experience and interests they have, but I’m more concerned that we expect them to do the work of paid staff, lead when paid managers should and save the City from real or imagined calamities. I agree a good Councilmember can add value, but if we want to ensure that good work and results occur, I suggest presenting the Mayor with questions or concerns.
Jim (Re: 9),
I respectfully and whole-heartedly disagree.
A primary function of the council representatives on the finance committee is to provide OVERSIGHT. That means, having background and experience in financial auditing, reporting, and processes… such that challenging questions may be asked to ensure clarity and accuracy of our financials; especially, at this time when our financial situation has such a great impact on our ability to maintain services and infrastructure. In other words, despite our good fortune to currently have such an exceptional Finance Director, the Finance Committee has a responsibility to NOT simply provide a “rubber stamp”.
It was this oversight that Council Member Buckshnis brought to the Finance Committee over her tenure that allowed such progress to be made; reforming our finance management and reporting processes, as well as enhancing transparency. This work is not yet complete.
The effectiveness of all our committees is dependent on teamwork between staff and the council representatives. As such, the trained staff should be matched with most appropriate council members (in terms of background, experience, and demonstrated accomplishments in the respective area). Needing staff to “teach” council representatives only leads to group think; which is the worst characteristic of a decision-making body. And also wastes staff time.
I’m not buying the arguments posed for this decision (including those by Council President Petso with whom I’ve spoken or Ms. Fraley-Monillas herein)… and no one should be selling it.
Jim:
If your rationale is correct, why bother having council committees?
All, Read # 10 . Mr. Senderoff has is exactly right.
The bottom line is that 2013 is an election year and it looks good on a campaign resume to have served on the Finance committee, truly one the most important committees in this dire time of financial crisis. That is all this choice is about in my estimation. The question for the citizens of Edmonds come November will be: do you really want to re-elect someone who puts their political ambition ahead of the real crucial financial needs of Edmonds?
I thought this maybe the place to correct some comments made in error by Mr.
Senderhoff regarding what occurred at January 8th committee meeting.
Mr. Senderhoff was not at the meeting nor was he part of a city discussion.
City council work sessions for committees are held second Tuesday of the month
for staff to discuss with representatives of council the business of specific
departments. It is set up informal for open dialogue between council and
staff.
Two and 1/2 years ago or so a council member wanted people from a business to
speak on a specific issue and we created an area for public comments on
committee meeting night, they are two minutes in length. The comments were
accepted similar in nature as to council meetings. According to records prior to this, when Mr. Wambolt was on council, citizens comments and participation were not
permitted during committee nights.
Since then the comments section were added on all 3 working committees
About 8 months ago KR, private citizen, came to the personnel/safety committee
meeting and spoke as part of the meeting asking questions and giving comments.
The next committee meeting; committee was present and so was council president,
mayor and varies staff. It was made clear the purpose of the committee as a
communication tool between the staff and council. Citizens were allowed to make
3 minute comments without response from staff or council.
Imagine my surprise when sitting down to my first committee meeting and after meeting started, having my co-council stop meeting, turn to citizen and ask him if
he had seen and did he liked the new chart in committee packet from finance department? Mr. Citizen graciously indicated he hadn’t seen it but would look at it later. During audience comments citizens didn’t actually comment, they were asking questions of staff regarding prior executive session and finances in general. No
commenting was made to full committee.
I have no vested interest in either way of doing business on committee night. Which ever way is decided is fine to me. I do feel and will insist one citizen shouldn’t be
giving priority and rule change over another.
I am sorry this unequal treatment has been used for some and not for others. It
may be a communication error between this committee and the others.
I just want to see a fair approach to working with all citizens. I believe this
is transparency in government. If citizens want the rules to change for all
committees to allow citizens to serve on committees or to be able to ask staff
questions and get answers immediately, then fine, we can change the make up of
our committees.
Come to council and comment. Lobby for equal change.
After discussion, I know the mayor is interested in staff and council being able
to use this night to have open discussions regarding issues that come forth
between the two groups
Citizens also have the ability to always contact staff for answers to
departmental questions.
Instead of “eliminating the opportunity or squelching the voice of the
citizenry” as it suggested I am doing, maybe we could start by treating everyone equally, transparently and respectfully. Next time Mr. Senderhoff maybe you could talk to me before believing the drama surrounding this situation. I could have explained to you what happened.
Adrienne, can you please provide the date that KR attended the personnel/safety committee meeting and spoke as part of the meeting asking questions and giving comments? Also, please provide the subsequent date that Council President, Mayor and various staff attended and made it clear that the purpose of the committee is to be a communication tool between the staff and Council.
I believe you are referring to me and the dates involved were June 12, 2012 and September 11, 2012. Please confirm.
If the June 12, 2012 date is correct, the related meeting minutes were attached to the June 19, 2012 City Council Meeting Agenda. Those minutes reflect five citizens participated in that discussion regarding the taking of minutes/notes during Executive Session.
I don’t have any desire to detract from the point you are trying to make. I simply want clarification. Thanks.
Dear Council Member Fraley-Monillas (re: 14):
When Council Member Buckshnis was leading the Finance Committee, she (as well as her co-committee members) encouraged citizens’ questions to clarify financial policies and transparency; with both staff and council present in a less formal and intimidating environment than videotaped council meetings. This provided those interested citizens the opportunity to gain a better understanding of municipal accounting practices that may seem arcane. Likewise, the demonstrated openness helped build trust amongst the citizenry that may have been skeptical or concerned about our city’s finances. Considering the progress made under Ms. Buckshnis’s leadership -evident by the best audit report that Edmonds has received in many years- confirms that allowing questions from citizens was not disruptive. And those citizens that followed financial related issues at the Finance Committee meetings consistently –as a matter of civic pride & concern– felt valued and even empowered by their inclusion. So it’s easy to imagine how they felt when you chose to squelch their voice. I didn’t need to imagine; some expressed their feelings of disrespect and displeasure in somewhat vehement terms to me. These are the facts and they are not disputable.
That said, it is clear that you missed the broad points that I had made regarding the removal of Ms. Buckshnis from the Finance Committee in my previous posts. So I’ll try one more –hopefully last– time.
Every council member brings different background, skills, and life experiences that can be applied to solving problems and advancing our city’s programs. This diversity is a good thing. It would be very undesirable to have a council made up of Diane Buckshnis and six other Diane Buckshnis clones. I think it’s fair to presume everyone would agree with that. But Ms. Buckshnis brings financial auditing and financial regulation skills that no other current council member possesses. And most importantly, she brings a record of significant progress –teaming with Staff– for proactively improving the clarity of our financial reporting and management policies which benefits the community at-large… as well as the Staff, Council, and Mayor; as hard budgeting decisions need to be considered. So to not allow Ms. Buckshnis to continue her efforts on the Finance Committee when so much work remains to be done makes no logical sense. And the situation begs the question, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” … exemplified by your decision to deny citizens the opportunity to ask questions at the end of Finance Committee meetings.
One only needs to be a casual council observer to understand this decision reeks of drama and politics. If you are having trouble recognizing that, perhaps you might look into a mirror. It is interesting to note that many of the citizens voicing concern about this situation (publicly or privately to council members & amongst themselves) were supporters of yours; as I was. But it is even more enlightening to recognize that many of those citizens voicing displeasure could hardly be considered supporters of Ms. Buckshnis; but they have come to recognize the value she brings to our financial management. Perhaps, this is another thing worth pondering while gazing into that mirror.
Finally, I chose not to contact you directly and privately because I found it implausible that you had nothing to do with this decision as suggested, so I didn’t think anything could be gained by discussing the matter with you. And the decision (or the reversal of this decision) rested solely to the discretion of Council President Petso. Still, you have my email, phone number, and address from past and recent communications regarding different issues. So you could have chosen to reach out to me as Ms. Petso had done. For the record, I did discuss the matter with Council President Petso and she suggested to me that it would NOT take too much courage for her to reverse this decision. I urge her to exercise that courage.
Respectively,
Dr. Richard Senderoff
Mistakenly posted the following to wrong Topic after I researched the Resolution number from my prior discussion. Sorry – meant to post the following under this Topic:
Related to my post #15 above, I totally understand our City Council has much going on, including preparation for next week’s annual City Council Retreat.
One thing I will point out is the enormous value of detailed documentation related to Council Meetings, which include Committee Meetings as well as Executive Sessions. Without a record of some type, the City officials would simply be left with the individual memories of those that attended Committee Meetings and Executive Sessions. I am of the opinion that people often remember things differently, and that memories fade as time passes. I am thankful we have Committee Meeting Minutes to refer to. Executive Sessions minutes are also kept at this point in time under City Council Resolution No. 853, passed in 1996. I hope this minute keeping will continue, or possibly even be improved upon. However, I fear that there are some City Officials who would prefer not keeping a record of Executive Sessions.
I believe Executive Sessions are far too critical to simply subject to people’s individual memories of what took place behind closed doors away from the public’s eye. I continue to support detailed record keeping of all Executive Sessions.