MEMO:

DATE: 11/8/01

TO: All assembly members and administration

FROM: Grace Merkes, assemblyperson

This ordinance change is to KPB 22.30.090 and KPB 22.40.010 regarding committee meetings and the time assembly meetings convene. I am responding to a number of requests I have heard from the public regarding most of the discussion, information and informal decisions being made at committee meetings instead of assembly meetings.

This ordinance would change the code so that;

1. The standing committees we now have would be eliminated. The president would only establish temporary committees to research special issues that would likely require lengthy and time-consuming review and research.

2. Workshops could be held at the request of the special committee or the President.

3. It requires the committee chair to arrange for all meetings to be recorded and they also may request minutes of the meeting to be prepared.

4. It changes the time of starting the assembly meetings to 5:00 PM from the current 7:00 PM.

5. And finally this ordinance would "sunset" one year from the date of enactment unless amended or extended.

I am asking you to consider this ordinance with an open mind and to think about public process and the American way. I believe we should try to be more open and available to the public. This is one way we can help regain their confidence in the way this borough does business. I have confidence in all of you, that after giving this issue considerable thought, you will agree with me and the vote will be a unanimous decision.