The usefulness of weekly strategic planning meetings was the topic of conversation at the very end of Tuesday’s 1:30 get-together. Of the four council members who responded, the council was split on believing in the practicality of having that meeting. Councilwoman Carol Berz was in favor of keeping the strategic planning meeting, citing the transparency it brought to the matters of the council.
“What we decided what would happen is we would give the public even more access to us in a smaller venue, as the dais out there can be rather off-putting,” said Councilwoman Berz, “ and I think it’s very important that we don’t do anything that would remove us from the public in this kind of venue. I think it’s very important we keep this going because we’re not taking a vote, we’re just educating ourselves.”
Councilman Anthony Byrd agreed. He focused on how the strategic planning meetings helped the different council members understand one another on a more personal level.
He said, “I have to agree with Councilwoman Berz. I think these sessions are good because we are one on one, because we see each other’s faces, and we see each other’s emotions as we’re talking. A lot of times, (for example) I get to know Darrin Ledford a little better just by talking.”
Meanwhile, Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod was skeptical as to the usefulness of the strategic planning meetings. Even though the meeting is open to the public, the room is often filled with nothing but administrators and media, she noted.
“The concerns I’ve heard is that it is used to educate us, and the public has more access to us,” said Councilwoman Coonrod, “But when I look around the room, I don’t see anyone from the public here for our strategic planning meeting. We may have five people from our district on some days who are interested in hearing what we have to say. Otherwise, we have a room full of administration, who have a 9:30 meeting.”
Councilman Ken Smith sided with her opinion, and then referenced other people’s time as a reason to possibly do away with meeting at 1:30 every single week.
“I agree with Councilwoman Coonrod and I’ll add one more thing as well,” said Councilman Smith, “I look around the room and it’s all staff, and they have busy schedules and plenty of other things they could be doing right now rather than listening to us, many, many weeks. We should be more cognizant of their time.”
Unfortunately for the council, not every councilember was able to give their thoughts on the matter. Because the dialogue began around 2:50, the council needed to head to their 3:00 agenda session. Chairman Eskine Ogelsby said the council would “pick it up next week.”