DO WE HAVE AN ALL AMERICAN WEB SITE?

Issues just keep popping up when I try to find something on the city web site.  I realize that the mayor told me when I spoke at an open forum that the web site is something that they do for the public, but are under no obligation to do so.  I was speaking about how bad the city directory was and how outdated it was. 

Compared to almost any other city web site Willmar's leaves a lot to be desired.  I have put the city of Waconia's site on this blog for you to look at.  I will be putting up a survey about the web site this week.

My issue now is that last week I sent an email to city building inspector Tom Rosemeier requesting some information.  I noticed that when I sent it that the email address (even though it is next to Tom's name) actually was for J. Palusky.  I don't know how long Mr. Palusky has been gone from city employment, but I think it has been some time.  Not hearing any response I followed up on it and still not hearing anything sent the email to Community Development Administrator Bruce Peterson.  Mr. Peterson, did respond and advised me that Mr. Palusky was no longer employed by the city.  I advised him that I knew that, but Mr. Rosemeier's name showed the email address for him.  This was last week and checking today his email address still has not been corrected.  This entire web site needs to be completely redone and in a better format.  There are so many good ones out there that really give you information and are easy to navigate.  They still haven't made any corrections that I called to their attention at the open forum.  It seems to me that the city administrator has forgotten how to administrate his staff.  On the other had he likes to administrate council members.  My thoughts again!  Tell your council people that you would like a web site that is in the 21st century.  Last note, the code section doesn't even have the zoning ordinances included.

City Issues

I would like to make known some issues that many of you know about.

There are issues that the city has ignored over the last year or so that has been brought to their attention time and time again.  Of course we know about the flooding issue of which they have known about since August 24, 1998 from the Barr report.  This report was with held by the city administrator by his own admission as published in the West Central Tribune.  Also we have a report that was issued by Barr August 24, 2006 dealing primarily with the flooding at Kandiyohi Ave. and 10th St. SW.  Almost two years later and these people are still waiting for ACTION.

Another issue that really has been called to the cities attention is establishment of a Charter Commission, which by law should be established for a charter city of which we are.  This is the citizens constitution, and changes need to be made to this document which governs our city.

A third issue that I have is that the city does not have a written Data Practices Policy.  I have personally found where the city has deleted data that should have been public policy for all to see if desired.  This is a serious issue and they have known about it since the fall of 2007.

Comments and suggestions are desired from all, including city officials. 

I have posted the city of WACONIA in the web page section.  I invite all interested citizens to log onto this site and take your time to look it over.  It is amazing the information they provide, including minutes, agendas and packets for all council meetings and the minutes for the other boards and committees.  They even have the minutes of the most recent council meeting on line within four days of the meeting.  Take a look at an agenda and you will see that they allow citizens to speak on the consent agenda items if they have an issue.  I experienced this problem some time back when the city clerk said that I spoke on one thing when I actually spoke on a different issue.  With this opportunity I could have asked for it to be corrected.  I had asked a councilman to offer a motion to correct the issue, but it seems like they are afraid to speak.  Like the other night when the mayor was making a fool of himself, anyone of the council person's could have called for the question, instead of embarrassing the whole council.  But then they don't operate under any rules, so maybe they don't know they can do that.  Getting off the subject here.  Please look over the Waconia web site and take some time to look at various parts of it.  Especially in the upper right corner, look over "A Guide to Living and Doing Business in Waconia.  It is fantastic!! 

My first post is pretty much a sample to see if this is working properly.  I have to make a comment about the Mayors stare down with Mr. Becker at the August 4, 2008 council meeting.  I haven't timed it yet, but it had to be two minutes with dead silence in the chambers only broken up by Kevin Holliday breaking the silence advising them that they had a motion on the table.  Who knows how long it would have lasted.  Pretty petty actions by an adult and a leader of our city.  The mayor commented that he was just contemplating wether or not to respond.  His actions responded for him!