Recording Parks Board Meetings is for the PUBLIC’s best interest not the board members

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A letter writer says it best, when Parks director Kearney tries to pull excuses from his butt;

I affirm the Sioux Falls Council’s decision to require the video programming of the Parks Department Advisory Committee meetings for the benefit of the public. Director Don Kearney’s rationale to prohibit the recordings of the meetings stems from the government bureaucracies’ weak mindset that they can control what is in the best interest of the citizens.

And further more, we don’t want weak or ignorant people serving on these boards;

Most public servants have the courage, faith and the confidence that the process is needed and that all citizens should have the opportunity to participate and be informed of actions of all government activities.

I have suggested the meetings be recorded at Carnegie instead hopscotching all over town;

In this instance, the Parks Advisory Committee meetings could easily be changed to an alternate time and day to allow more access and public participation opportunity.

As I told a city official this weekend, ‘We ARE singling out the Parks Board because they are important, just like the Planning Commission. They should be honored we care what they are doing in these meetings and proud of the decisions they make instead of hiding in a break room at the zoo.’

Posted in: Open Government, Open Meetings, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

2 Thoughts on “Recording Parks Board Meetings is for the PUBLIC’s best interest not the board members”

  1. The D@ily Spin on January 24, 2017 at 8:29 am said:

    One would think Parks wants to show its prominence and pride. What has been public from their meetings is more impressive and relevant than outcome from city council meetings. Come out of the closet. We’ll give you respect you (perhaps) deserve.

  2. My Mistake Mike on January 24, 2017 at 9:23 am said:

    Totally agree that these meetings should be recorded (if not broadcast live each month from Carnegie).

    What the public will witness is:
    1. How little discussion takes place in Park Board meetings. Decisions are made at the committee level. Each committee has 3 (of 7) board members. These committee meetings are not subject to open meetings laws, since only a minority of board members attend.
    2. How many of this board’s decisions – especially Capital Projects – are overruled and changed by this administration. These are “advisory” not governing boards, which means they can only make recommendations. The CIP for example is changed every year by MMM before it gets to the city council (which is the “governing” board). A lot of projects in the CIP have been there for years. And that practice will continue due to the $7-9m in annual bond obligations for the event center.

    That said, Park Board has been meeting on Tuesday’s for a lot longer than the city council. The council moved from Mondays to Tuesdays about four years ago so Diamond Jim & company could enjoy extended weekends. Maybe its the council that needs to pick a different day?

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