An explanation of Monday night’s Damascus City Council meeting,
As you may know the city council voted on a resolution that was not noticed to the public nor was it included when the agenda was voted on and passed at the start of the city council meeting. The intent of this resolution is to replace me with Diana Helm to set the agenda with city manager Greg Baker. This resolution did pass. Unfortunately I have had to hire my own independent legal advice regarding procedures I felt violated our own council rules. Below is a portion of the advice I received.
“Monday night, both the council and city manager departed from established practice by slipping in a resolution amending the council rules when such resolution was clearly prepared in advance, yet deliberately omitted from the agenda and packet by the city manager and staff. I would remind the city attorney of this deviation from past council practice.”
Attached is a memorandum from the city attorney agreeing, but only after I have had to bring it to his attention.
For those of you who are willing I would encourage you to file an individual complaint with the Oregon Ethics Commission. Complain about the notice failure. That will give rise to future action with cause for violating the public notice provisions of Oregon Law.
The link below is a fill-able pdf that makes it easy to file a complaint.
I believe it will only benefit the community to hold a public hearing on this matter. We really need to clean house, remove the blatant secrecy and become and honest and transparent city government, perhaps for the first time.
thank you,
—
Steve Spinnett
Mayor
