Transparency Workshop

Sandy White
2 days ago
2 min read

Well, tonight at the Hayden City Council meeting we had a lively workshop and animated discussion about transparency. I would give you the link to the video, but unfortunately...the workshop portion of the meeting didn't get video taped for some reason. If you want to hear the audio portion you need to do an information request to the city clerk here and ask for it: https://www.haydenid.gov/departments/city_clerk/public_records_request.php

Meanwhile, these are some of the things that I proposed in the meeting in order to make Hayden more transparent:

A Proposal to Record All Meetings in Hayden

Last year the City of Hayden had about 100 meetings, 43 of which are on YouTube, but more than half are not. Following are some of my reasons for believing that the City of Hayden should video record all meetings and make them easily available on YouTube :

Makes use of our video equipment for the benefit of the taxpayers who paid for it.
Provides easier access to enable all persons to attend any meeting remotely at any time.
Saves the staff time to not have to process information requests.
Promotes transparent and ethical government
Enhances conducting public business
Provides an opportunity to serve the people
It documents decisions made in meetings.
Helps council members to review for future meetings.
Offers the opportunity to observe deliberation.
Why not?

Other suggestions:

Public notice for all meetings should be on Facebook as well as on BoardBook. (IC 74-204)
Agendas, minutes, ordinances, and resolutions should to be archived on the City website.
Install an outdoor bulletin board ($400) to satisfy the requirement of posting agendas in a prominent place and not behind closed doors. (IC 74-204)
Create an “Agenda Center” on our website for convenient links to agendas, minutes, and audio and video recordings in one spot.
Before scheduling extra meetings, take into consideration the costs involved with the assumption that the meeting will be video taped.
Have an adequate amount budgeted for recording.
Respectfully submitted, Sandy White