Council changes disregard attorney and insurance carrier’s concerns and advise | Letter to the Editor

In 2012 the voters of Black Diamond voted to maintain the form of government it now has, the mayor-council form of government. At the Jan. 21st City Council meeting the new majority on the City Council made sweeping changes to this form of government by passing a simple resolution to amend the council rules and procedures.

In 2012 the voters of Black Diamond voted to maintain the form of government it now has, the mayor-council form of government. At the Jan. 21st City Council meeting the new majority on the City Council made sweeping changes to this form of government by passing a simple resolution to amend the council rules and procedures. This was done with complete disregard of the city attorney’s advice as well as a letter from the city’s insurance carrier stating they would not insure these council members against legal action should these changes be voted in.

The standing council committees have been changed to hold a quorum of the council, which is three council members, instead of the historical two council members which kept the committee meetings simply informational. With the new change to have three council members present they can now vote on legislation before the committee and it then goes to the mayor for signature. The mayor has no power in the committee meetings and neither the mayor, nor the city attorney is requested to be present.

Council members Deady and Edelman refused to be involved in these committees, accepting the caution of the city attorney and the insurance carrier. As the new majority goes forward filling the committees with a quorum of the council, the new committees will be filled by council members Morgan, Weber and Pepper.

These three Council members have done an end-run around the voters and have taken the Powers granted the mayor by the RCWs: They will be dealing with operations and administration of City departments; they will speak for the City by appointing themselves to intergovernmental boards, committees and commissions; because they are still called Committees, the Mayor cannot preside over them, but due to the presence of a quorum they have the power of the Council.

There were four Council seats filled by the voters last November, as well as the Mayor’s position. Yet by the passage of a simple resolution the new majority of (Erika) Morgan, (Brian) Weber and (Pat)Pepper have eliminated two council seats as well as much of the mayor’s authority.

The council-manager form of government was voted down in 2012. I doubt this outcome is what voters intended last November. Please contact these council members and come to the council meetings to voice your displeasure. The voters need to get involved to reign in this illegitimate change to Black Diamond’s form of government.

Robbin Taylor

Black Diamond