11 18-0081 Subject: Amending Rule 7.6 And 4 Of Council Rules Of Procedure
From: Councilmember McElhaney, Vice Mayor Campbell Washington And Council President Reid
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Amending And Superseding The Council's Rules Of Procedure Currently Set Forth In Resolution No. 86034 C.M.S, As Amended By Resolution No. 86862 C.M.S., To Amend: 1) Rule 4 To Authorize The Council President To Change Committee Membership And Committee Chair Assignments, And 2) Rule 7.6 To Provide That Any Stems Pulled From The Consent Calendar Are Moved To The Beginning Of The Non-Consent Calendar And Will Be Heard The Same Evening, Subject To The Discretion Of The Council President To Determine The Order Of Agenda Items
I strongly oppose tampering with the democratic process and silencing dissent. It seems less than ethical, and invites thoughts of insider deals, and cronyism, and is most likely a violation of the Brown Act. It is unseemly that one person should be able to manipulate the outcome of city business at a whim. This looks bad and is shameful that such options should even be considered. Democracy is not easy, rigor and dissent are key elements. This is a disservice to the council office, the city, and the community. Vote no.
As the Local Politics Chair for the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club we object to this kind of circumvention of the established tradition for appointing committee chairs. We do not need the pereception (nor the reality) of more back room deals and oppose the unnecessary strengthening of the council president's ability to control the agenda and the decisions of committee chairs. This sets a bad precedent while weakening community input, vote no.
I am commenting on Council agenda item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This move to give the council president unprecedented power creates a dangerous precedent for city that is reminiscent of the current White House administration. I am vehemently opposed to this consolidation of power. I am also opposed to any one person or entity being able to make unilateral decisions without a democratic process.
I believe in the power of the democracy which is at the bedrock of our country and this will create an atmosphere of fear and reprisal from our city officials. I’m asking that you vote NO on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 and keep the current rules in place that are there to prevent bully politics and unfair agenda setting in Oakland.
I am calling/emailing/speaking on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
reconfiguring the committees after the formation of committees and appointment of a chair is a thinly veiled attempt to cause every vote to go in favor of the president and his/her opinion effectively silencing the opposition to any and all opposing opinions.
7.5 Rearranging the agenda after it is publicized is an effective way to silence the citizens who show up to council chambers promptly at 530pm only to have the item not heard until after 2am.
I am asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can I count on you to vote NO?
The Trump era has already ushered in the disintegration and elimination of democratic processes that are meant to protect the interests of the people. That's why I stand in opposition to amending and superseding these rules without reaching into the community to allow the people to weigh in. I am deeply troubled by handing any council president this much authority - authority which would give carte blanche to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda. This is not democratic and there is no accountability to the people. It provides an open door for council presidents to walk through, carrying their own personal agendas and makes it easy to retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. I urge you to vote no to these amendments and refer them to be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision is made.
This is a shameful, underhanded attempt to remove Councilmembers that dare to actually do their job and represent the people rather than play dirty political ball.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. VOTE NO.
I am writing in strong opposition to Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?
I am unable to attend the meeting but would urge you to vote NO on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and prowcedures.
This is a travesty in the making! Already the City Council uses its powers to sideline people and important issues. This move to further consolidate power is another example of the tactics being applied against the people. The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Already the Council meetings are a farse of of a democratic process. A resounding NO is the only legitimate vote.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?"
I am unable to attend tonight, but want to voice my strong opposition on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process.
I am unable to attend the meeting tonight, but wanted to make sure you OPPOSE this vote on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
I am asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can I count on you to vote NO?
I am speaking on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?
I oppose this VOTE. This is taking away the Right to FREE SPEECH! YOU APPROVE THIS TONIGHT YOUR SUPPORTING DONALD TRUMP CREATING A MILITARIZED DICTATORSHIP GOVERNMENT! THE MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION CALLS THEMSELVES PROGRESSIVE AND SANCTUARY CITY BUT THAT'S JUST MORE LIES! EVERYONE IN OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS THIS IS A TRUMP PUPPETEER! Let's Go Back in History each time People's Voice were Silenced Something Happened! MLK STATED "A RIOT IS THE VOICE OF THE UNHEARD". DON'T MAKE THE WRONG DECISION Cause There Will be Consequences #PeoplePower #PeoplesCouncil All Power to The People!
Amending the rules this way is a bad idea. No council president, current or future, should have that much power to remove colleagues from committees as well as to control meeting agendas. The current rules are democratic and proper; don't change them just to meet the goal of the current president in a specific situation. Stay in the sunshine!
I oppose this. The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
Please vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process.
I am unable to attend, but am writing in opposition to both measures. Imitating poor practices in use in other municipalities is not what Oakland should do. Both proposed actions are contrary to sunshine and transparency principles. Notice when items are moved off consent is required in order to allow stakeholders who do not peruse the consent agenda in detail to participate when an item is brought for a full Council deliberation. The irregular removal of committee members apart from normal intervals can, under future council leadership, be abused and set up quid pro quo pressures that defeat good governance . I urge you to maintain a commitment to sunshine principles and not move ahead with either of these proposals to gut standing rules that serve the interests of Oakland's population. Modernizing is often double-speak for actions that remove public imput and accountability and that is the case here. Please reject both of these proposals. They are not well-taken.
I would like you to stop your efforts in consolidation of any more of you power/ control ( that really comes from the end of a gun. The guns of OPD)! STOP PLAYING YOUR GAMES, STOP TELLING LIES!!!! GOD IS WATCHING YOU, AND I AINT TALKING ABOUT JESUS EITHER!!!! I am talking about the GODS of our ancestors, the ones your police ( colonizing power) have subjegated. WE SEE YOU. CHOOSE CAREFULLY!!!!!
I strongly oppose tampering with the democratic process and silencing dissent. It seems less than ethical, and invites thoughts of insider deals, and cronyism, and is most likely a violation of the Brown Act. It is unseemly that one person should be able to manipulate the outcome of city business at a whim. This looks bad and is shameful that such options should even be considered. Democracy is not easy, rigor and dissent are key elements. This is a disservice to the council office, the city, and the community. Vote no.
As the Local Politics Chair for the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club we object to this kind of circumvention of the established tradition for appointing committee chairs. We do not need the pereception (nor the reality) of more back room deals and oppose the unnecessary strengthening of the council president's ability to control the agenda and the decisions of committee chairs. This sets a bad precedent while weakening community input, vote no.
I am commenting on Council agenda item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This move to give the council president unprecedented power creates a dangerous precedent for city that is reminiscent of the current White House administration. I am vehemently opposed to this consolidation of power. I am also opposed to any one person or entity being able to make unilateral decisions without a democratic process.
I believe in the power of the democracy which is at the bedrock of our country and this will create an atmosphere of fear and reprisal from our city officials. I’m asking that you vote NO on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 and keep the current rules in place that are there to prevent bully politics and unfair agenda setting in Oakland.
I am calling/emailing/speaking on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
reconfiguring the committees after the formation of committees and appointment of a chair is a thinly veiled attempt to cause every vote to go in favor of the president and his/her opinion effectively silencing the opposition to any and all opposing opinions.
7.5 Rearranging the agenda after it is publicized is an effective way to silence the citizens who show up to council chambers promptly at 530pm only to have the item not heard until after 2am.
I am asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can I count on you to vote NO?
The Trump era has already ushered in the disintegration and elimination of democratic processes that are meant to protect the interests of the people. That's why I stand in opposition to amending and superseding these rules without reaching into the community to allow the people to weigh in. I am deeply troubled by handing any council president this much authority - authority which would give carte blanche to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda. This is not democratic and there is no accountability to the people. It provides an open door for council presidents to walk through, carrying their own personal agendas and makes it easy to retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. I urge you to vote no to these amendments and refer them to be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision is made.
This is a shameful, underhanded attempt to remove Councilmembers that dare to actually do their job and represent the people rather than play dirty political ball.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. VOTE NO.
I am writing in strong opposition to Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?
I am unable to attend the meeting but would urge you to vote NO on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and prowcedures.
This is a travesty in the making! Already the City Council uses its powers to sideline people and important issues. This move to further consolidate power is another example of the tactics being applied against the people. The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Already the Council meetings are a farse of of a democratic process. A resounding NO is the only legitimate vote.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?"
I am unable to attend tonight, but want to voice my strong opposition on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process.
I am unable to attend the meeting tonight, but wanted to make sure you OPPOSE this vote on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
I am asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can I count on you to vote NO?
I am speaking on Council Agenda Item 11 on Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures.
The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
We are asking you to vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process. Can we count on you to vote NO?
I oppose this VOTE. This is taking away the Right to FREE SPEECH! YOU APPROVE THIS TONIGHT YOUR SUPPORTING DONALD TRUMP CREATING A MILITARIZED DICTATORSHIP GOVERNMENT! THE MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION CALLS THEMSELVES PROGRESSIVE AND SANCTUARY CITY BUT THAT'S JUST MORE LIES! EVERYONE IN OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS THIS IS A TRUMP PUPPETEER! Let's Go Back in History each time People's Voice were Silenced Something Happened! MLK STATED "A RIOT IS THE VOICE OF THE UNHEARD". DON'T MAKE THE WRONG DECISION Cause There Will be Consequences #PeoplePower #PeoplesCouncil All Power to The People!
Amending the rules this way is a bad idea. No council president, current or future, should have that much power to remove colleagues from committees as well as to control meeting agendas. The current rules are democratic and proper; don't change them just to meet the goal of the current president in a specific situation. Stay in the sunshine!
I oppose this. The council president should not be given this much authority to both control appointments to various committees and also control the agenda without democratic accountability. This will mean that whoever holds the position of council president will have the authority to use the power of their office to push through their own personal agendas and retaliate against elected representatives that disagree with them. No elected office holder should be given such power and these amendments must be studied in more detail before such a unilateral decision can be made to change council rules.
Please vote NO to Amending Rules 4 and 7.6 of the council rules and procedures. This is a centralization of power that will have adverse consequences on our existing democratic process.
I am unable to attend, but am writing in opposition to both measures. Imitating poor practices in use in other municipalities is not what Oakland should do. Both proposed actions are contrary to sunshine and transparency principles. Notice when items are moved off consent is required in order to allow stakeholders who do not peruse the consent agenda in detail to participate when an item is brought for a full Council deliberation. The irregular removal of committee members apart from normal intervals can, under future council leadership, be abused and set up quid pro quo pressures that defeat good governance . I urge you to maintain a commitment to sunshine principles and not move ahead with either of these proposals to gut standing rules that serve the interests of Oakland's population. Modernizing is often double-speak for actions that remove public imput and accountability and that is the case here. Please reject both of these proposals. They are not well-taken.
I would like you to stop your efforts in consolidation of any more of you power/ control ( that really comes from the end of a gun. The guns of OPD)! STOP PLAYING YOUR GAMES, STOP TELLING LIES!!!! GOD IS WATCHING YOU, AND I AINT TALKING ABOUT JESUS EITHER!!!! I am talking about the GODS of our ancestors, the ones your police ( colonizing power) have subjegated. WE SEE YOU. CHOOSE CAREFULLY!!!!!