Three New Aldermen Seated on the City Board / Practically a Clean Slate of Legislators

By Pauline Masson – 

Pacific’s social media community may finally have received what they wished for: a clean slate of city legislators.

Three recently elected aldermen: Rafael Madrigal, Ward 1; Anna Meadows, Ward 2; and Debbie Kelley, Ward 3 took their oath of office and took their seats on the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday Apri. 18.

They join three first-term aldermen, Rick Presley, Ward 1; James Cleeve, Ward 2; and Scott Lesh, Ward 3,  giving Pacific practically a clean slate of legislators.

The one exception is Debbie Kelley, who has served as city collector for the past eighteen years and has been a regular in city board of aldermen meetings since 2005. However, being an alderman is a new role for her.

This lack of government experience may be welcomed by government observers who have been saying, “vote them all out,” on local social media. But in the “be careful what you wish for,”  realm, this start from scratch could have its pitfalls.

The burdon that is put on this relatively inexperienced board includes several big issues that have plagued previous and more experienced officials. Our city has seen aldermen and mayors who served multiple terms, some extending to more than a decade, where experience enabled them to acquaint themselves with all the stakeholders, and the possible consequences of whatever they decide.

It took three administrations to complete the first elevated railroad overpass with the construction of Lamar Parkway, three administrations to work through the city’s agreement to provide sewer service to the prison east of town, and four administrations to work through the city’s agreement to process wastewater for Brush Creek Sewer District – and the city continues to this day to fine tune the system for that.

This new board has been asked by the Planning and Zoning Commission to “fix Candlewick Lane.” No small order. Two entities claim ownership of the road: Candlewick Lane residents and Daily Industrial Park business owners. I don’t think Solomon’s wisdom could help us here. We can’t cut the road in half. So this board has to “fix” what previous boards have side stepped with no small amount of handwringing.

What may be an even bigger challenge the Park Board is moving ahead with plans to build a new $6 million swimming pool, with hints of asking voters to approve a bond issue to build the pool in the August election. wth no public discussion of what the bond issue might cost property owners on their taxes. The Park Board also wants a budget increase of $200,000 to take care of the properties that have been added to the City Park inventory through flood buyouts.

This board will also be expected to take final action on a Handbook for Newly Elected Officials, which is in progress. The controversial handbook authorizes the city administrator and city attorney to accept and review complaints about how the aldermen express themselves, and pass on to the full board of aldermen their recommendation for action that could, at the worst infration, include removal from office.

They will also oversee the opening of the much heralded Red Cedar visitor center and city museum that includes furnishing the two entities and funding the operatios of the combined center.

And it will be up to them to evaluate the city’s $50,000 a year agreement with the Pacific Partnership, which has conducted popular outdoor events for the past twenty years. There are hints that the city may keep the funds and operate the events.

So, folks, if ever there was a time when our board of aldermen needed public trust and support, this is it.

They may not get it all right. But with the help of the citizens they stand a better chance of being in tune with the interests of the citizens. 

There are two ways to give them a hand. Come back to the board meetings, meet the decision makers and share with them your worries and wishes about all these big issues. And several advisory committees are short of the required number of members. Consider serving on one of these groups. Contact Mayor Heather Filly to learn which comittees have openings and offer you service.