The Brentwood Public Works Committee meeting Wednesday never officially began because there wasn’t a quorum. Aldermen, Keith Robertson and Maureen Saunders were present but Andy Leahy and Cindy Manestar weren’t.
Robertson asked City Administrator Bola Akande what on the agenda required committee action, and if there was anything they do.
Most of the agenda required committee action, but a public works employee was there to present the recently completed city tree inventory. Akande thought that could take place, because “nothing in the report is critical, but if anything in the report has greater priority, the board can allocate funds to take care of it.”
Saunders said there are issues in the report that need to be addressed, such as dead trees to be removed.
Akande said Davey Tree delivered the report to the city in February. When Saunders asked why they weren’t seeing it until now, Akande said, “There’s no reason. You’d see it as part of the budget process.”
Public Works Director Jim Nahmensen said his department got the report in May.
Saunders wanted to know why dead trees aren’t taken care of on an ongoing basis, which led to a discussion of if the city has enough employees.
“We just don’t seem to be able to get things addressed until they become more critical, and I don’t understand,” Saunders said.
Akande said it’s a valid concern, but there needs to be analysis and data to support the need for more employees.
Saunders said items left over from the state audit of the city haven’t been taken of. “To me, that is evidence enough,” she said.
Nahmensen said Public Works has a list of tree projects they work on every day, usually with a 2-person crew.
Saunders said she sees them working, but the department can’t seem to get caught up.
“Do we need to contract that out, and do we need to put that before the city? I’ve had several residents call.” she said. “And that’s the one issue they can’t get a call back on—tree removal.”
Robertson said he doesn’t think it’s fair to criticize the management of the city when there is pressure to save money all the time. He also said he’s never been made aware of imminent danger from dead trees.
“We’re shackled to this process,” he said. “The fact that they get anything done is amazing to me. I think they do a great job.”
Then he ended the meeting.
“If we’re going to go on in this vein I think we should just end the meeting right now,” he said, standing up and walking out. No vote to adjourn was taken because the meeting never officially opened.
Apparently Robertson felt he could best serve the city by leaving a city meeting. I agree with his assessment and hope he continues on this path of community service by moving to Poco Loco, Missouri.
Just more dreadful behavior from a city representative. Honest questions deserve honest answers and walking out does not constitute a willingness to even engage in civil discussion. I’m afraid there needs to be more turnover of the board (and mayoral position) before any effective city business can take place.
Agree completely.
imo, there are three-four working aldermen: Manestar, Saunders, Kramer and sometimes Lehey I also believe there is a pattern by the City Administrator Ms. Akande to be MORE condescending and confrontational in efforts to force dialog along “the Mayoral lines” in the presence of the Mayor. When he is not there, she is more balanced in her approach to informational dialog. This really needs to stop, for the sake of the City.
Why does it seem Alderman Saunders has ever relevant, citizen initiated questions? And it still takes only one “hissy-fit” from another alderman to end a meeting?
Firstly, I believe that in the absence of a quorum, no meeting should have been held. Secondly, I get very frustrated when one alderman justifiably(and over time) asks for full information to take to her constituency, and is given by the City Administrator (and the Mayor) a patronizing, condescending rebuke.
I have listened to BOA mtg after mtg on CCBTV, and been amazed at the dismissal and unprofessional, childish whining focused at perfectly legitimate questions asked by (esp.) Ald. Saunders.
WHY SHOULD the (hissy) Alderman not be held accountable to the citizens he represents? Why is the City Administrator put in the middle of ‘muddle’?
Why do only two or three aldermen ever pose legitimate exegetical questions, just to be ‘shot down’ by a dyed in the wool cronies making up the rest of the top City Administration and BOA?
Our Public Works employees , like just about other City employee at City Hall, EXCEPT THE TOP ADMINISTRATION.–are excellent at what they do. If there is some issue, it needs to be brought to the attention of the citizens–and not just ‘thrown in some inconclusive budgetary pot”. And Alderman Robertson, if you can’t hold your water at a simple gathering of two women and yourself–not even a meeting due to quorum deficit, then why do you run for alderman? I realize I take some of this rather personally, having had all sisters and no brothers. That being said, I would pit any one of my sister’s*** against you, Ald. Robertson. ***I exclude myself as lacking the diplomacy so well imbued in my sisters. love, Maureen
PS–BRANDON JONES—hope you are following all this drama. I would be preferably avoided by better suited representatives of the citizenry.