Durango city councilors held a study session Sept. 24 to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the boards and commissions and the citizens who voluntarily serve to advise them.
It was encouraging to hear council’s desire to have greater communication with all city boards and commissions, something Councilors Kim Baxter and Barbara Noseworthy have sought since their April election.
Restoring trust in government, accountability and transparency are the themes they, and Mayor Melissa Youssef, have been championing, signaling a renewed interest in really listening to (all of) the public. Throughout their young tenure, they also have expressed interest in considering input from citizens, boards, commissions and staff to inform their decision-making.
It is discouraging, then, to witness them disregard staff expertise, among the most experienced and professional group of people our city is fortunate to employ, and discount numerous recommendations from citizen advisory boards, commissions, prior city councils, staff, consultants and citizens, revisiting public planning and decision-making processes decades in the making.
Recent examples include reconsidering planned investments in our recreation infrastructure, upon which our recreation and tourism economy depend, and public safety along the Animas River Trail at 32nd Street, as well as approval of the new Parks, Open Space, Trails & Recreation Master Plan and utility rates.
Council has approved an incredible set of new forward-looking goals. It’s time to start honoring long-deliberated past decisions and to put energy into planning for the future.
If you care about our city’s direction, attend the next council meeting on the 2020 proposed budget on Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Ellen Stein
Durango
