• Both! I’d propose a two-year term for residents and a one-year rotation of councilmembers. I’d like to see results like: city checkbook posted on line; city blog for ongoing conversation; simple reporting of campaign donations; polls/reviews like the big citywide one that some departments have acted on; open conversation with residents about what the city could/should be doing.
• It seems to me that the very name, Open Government Commission would require/warrant some input from the residents. Perhaps a combination of Council and community members.
• All. If people have concerns or interests in this Commission then they should have a voice whether they serve currently on the Council or not.
• It seems that an Open Government Commission should be open to residents also. There need to be a checks and balance between the community and the City Council. Cases in point: Proposals for a ceiling on local election contributions and should donations under $100 be anonymous? There needs to be input from community and City Council on these issues so politics do not cloud the issues.
• City Council members. It is their duty to keep Council actions transparent.
• I think there should be five citizen members along with one council member and the City Clerk. Oh, and someone needs to give them an outline of what they are supposed to do, because there doesn’t seem to be a clear description of what their responsibilities should/could be!!
• Isn’t the saying, “Letting the fox guard the hen house.” I would suspect a government representative will be needed for legal guidance, but otherwise, it should absolutely be a full cross section of community members.
• Residents. This assumes the commission is advisory only. In dealing with sensitive Council issues, commission members may feel restrained or even intimidated in the presence of Council members. However, I would add an ex-officio city legal advisor to the commission to provide guidance.
• It should be a combination of both, but with residents as the majority. The council “works” for the taxpayers, so they should be watched over by residents/taxpayers.
• Any commission is better served when, at the least, there are residents participating if not comprising the entire commission.
• Both. Commission be comprised of one Council member who acts as facilitator and participate with the other members of the commission who should be residents.
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