Highlights from last night’s Special Council Meeting

Okay, there weren't any highlights in what might have been the shortest City Council meeting ever. The meeting adjourned as soon as two motions to have the second readings of both the 2011 Appropriations and the ordinance to allow the City Auditor to use Fund 28 to pay bills passed unanimously without a word of discussion. Council President Jane Grote issued a reminder that sounded more like a warning that there would be another Special Council Meeting tonight at 7:30 and every night thereafter until the 2011 budget is passed. Is anyone as surprised as we were that no one moved to have the 2nd and 3rd readings of each ordinance to try to expedite a final vote?

Channel 9 filed this report about last night’s meeting, and Fox 19 filed this one. Regarding the fact that City employees have been working since April 1 not knowing when they will be paid, Mayor Williams told Channel 9, "They're understanding They don't like it but they're understanding. I think collectively we have [city leadership] failed to get the job done." He said he is telling council members they have to find some way to work out an agreement, adding, "This won't be easy. I understand that. But you simply can't get everything you want. You have to give a little to get a little. Don't worry about next year until we get there. Let's get an agreement now for this year because that's the most important part.” The mayor told Fox 19, "There's a good possibility those offers {from the unions} could come off the table-- one Friday, and one Monday."