Garibaldi Fencepost September 17

As for next year, I’m personally optimistic about it but am awaiting official word.

And, yup, that was mayor Katie, fractured wrist and all, along with Sandy Tyrer, volunteering during the event.

There were two things of note on the city council agenda this week. One is a new session called “agenda session.” This one occurred last Friday at 9 a.m. It’s a way to keep the Monday nights formal as council conducts city business, while giving the public a chance to provide advanced feedback. They’re informal, a quorum isn’t required to be present, but it enhances dialogue. From the agenda:

“Agenda session – Informal question and answer session. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate. (A quorum of the City Council may or may not be present, but no votes or decisions will be made at this meeting.).”

 The second is an item in presentations. It’s called “council meeting procedure modifications: pilot.” It’s a ten-dollar phrase to essentially say, “How about we make it simpler?” Currently, I’m aware of the presentation and the idea of switching from Roberts Rules, but even as the other gavel wielder in town, I haven’t seen it.  

I’m just the father co-potty-training toddlers on his one. (“No, Peanut. Despite putting in a new sewer line yesterday, the big toilet is broken because some kid threw a toy down it. Any idea who did that?”)

And I think that’s the beauty of the point I’m trying to reach: I chair the planning commission and I couldn’t begin to tell you how they’re going to receive it. Five independent minds will receive this new idea and deliberate it democratically. The machinist, the firefighter, the auditor, the local business owner and the marketer.  

It remains a good sign, in and of itself.

All that to say this is going to be a fascinating first new interaction between the council and new City Manager Jake Boone. How this process shakes out, not so much what they decide but how they all proceed, will give us our best indication yet how City of Garibaldi government will act and produce moving forward in this era.

If events with CM Boone to this point have been any indication, then there are several reasons to be optimistic.

In a world seemingly going madder by the news cycle, it’s comfort to know some places are putting their feet back on solid ground.

(“Yay, Prophet! Someone peed in the potty! Potty dance!”)