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Council mulls TV for some sessions

Some members don’t believe the medium benefits public discussion.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer 2:04 PM Wednesday, March 17, 2010

FAIRFIELD — Councilmen Mike Oler and Mitch Rhodus want to see the City Council televise some of its public work session discussions.

An hour before almost every regular 7 p.m. council meeting, members meet with the city manager to discuss future legislation or updates to city activities.

Those who don’t or can’t attend the council-manager briefings can seek out the audio tape maintained by the council clerk.

“I always found it interesting some of the stuff talked about in the council-manager briefings, and sometimes we’re talking about things that can extend beyond our terms,” said Oler, who wants the public’s opinion on the issue of televising some discussions.

Regular council meetings already are televised.

Oler said having the capital improvement projects discussions — which begin Monday, March 22 — are examples of work sessions that should be televised.

“I think doing the people’s business in front of the people is what it’s all about,” said Rhodus. “The taxpayers are our boss and we should be able to report to them.”

But some don’t believe televising work sessions benefits the discussion.

“I think we get better interaction with the staff and the business professionals making the proposals when we have a conference room setting,” Vice Mayor Terry Senger said.

“It works better to have some presentations in the conference room.”

Senger, who’s officially undecided on the issue, said he’d like to see PowerPoint presentations linked on the city’s Web site with an audio download.

Councilman Tim Meyers said the informal setting allows for more “off the cuff” and probing discussion. But if the public really wants the sessions televised, he said he’ll support it.

“Council’s already voted on this. We did an up and down vote on this a couple years ago,” Meyers said. “And from my stand point, the public already has access to all those interesting meetings.”

Mayor Ron D’Epifanio believes as many as 70 percent of residents don’t realize regular meetings are televised, and said he doesn’t see the benefit of televising work sessions.

“All residents care about is that they are living in a good, clean safe city that is providing the services that they deserve to be receiving for the money they’re playing in taxes,” D’Epifanio said.

Where they stand

Here is how each Fairfield City Council member stands on televising some work sessions:

Tim Abbott — No, because the current form is most productive.

Marty Judd — No, but not 100 percent decided.

Tim Meyers — No, but if the public wants it, he’ll support it.

Mike Oler — Yes, because of the important issues being discussed.

Mitch Rhodus — Yes, because council needs to “report” to the public.

Terry Senger — Undecided, but favors the current format. Would like to see audio, presentations posted online.

Mike Snyder — Undecided because of logistics needed to be discussed.

Next meeting

The City Council will meet next Monday, March 22. The council-manager briefing work session is set for 6 p.m., with the regular meeting at 7. Both are in the city building, 5350 Pleasant Ave.

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