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Health & Fitness

Introducing: "Woodbury Watch"

Why should voters attend their City Council meeting? Find out why it is important and get a taste of a recent meeting.

The Truth in Taxation hearing in December of 2009 was my first City Council meeting for the City of Woodbury.

I even got up and spoke against raising the tax levy. I was very nervous and upset about the proposed levy increase since home values were continuing to drop and the recession was well underway. I wasn’t the only upset citizen who spoke either. Not only that, imagine how frustrating it was when Mayor Hargis informed us that we should have been there earlier in the year, like April or definitely the August workshop that starts at 4:30 pm in the afternoon and looks at the levy and budget! Nonetheless, the Council voted for the lower levy option so I think those who spoke really had an impact.

Citizen attendance noted: As I continued attending meetings monthly or more, it occurred to me one evening that council members and staff would notice when citizens were there. At first, I didn’t know who was who but now I recognize the staff, newspaper people and notice when someone new is there.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Why should citizens attend their City Council meetings? Your local City is the closest government entity that makes decisions about spending taxpayer money. I believe our elected Council members consider things in a different light when they know that the voter is watching: not just on the community television; not just reading the reports in the newspaper, but actually being there taking an interest. And even speaking up (sign in to do this).

During the campaign last election season I spoke with various voters and heard that people ‘trust their elected officials to make wise decisions’. I take this to be why there aren’t so many other citizens at the meetings unless it is something that personally effects where they live. It seems like people want to vote and then forget about things until the next election. Sure, a lot of what goes on at City Council meetings is not glamorous, but in order to protect it from being an exclusive network and to keep our taxes from creeping up and up, it’s important for people to be involved.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Woodbury City Council generally meets the 2nd and 4th Weds usually at 7 or 7:30 pm. The 3rd Weds is usually a ‘workshop’ and meets at 6:30 around a table. The workshops are in depth looks at an issue that is under consideration. A recent workshop looked at possible ‘traffic calming’ approaches in areas where drivers speed through neighborhoods. The latest one looked at the preliminary Levy options. Sign up for the “in-touch” notification on the City website so you will get accurate information and updates on meeting times and agendas. Hope to see you there.

When I am there, I will be ‘live tweeting’ – you can follow me on Twitter@MinnesotaLAS

Tweets from 7/13/11 City Council Workshop meeting:

Woodbury, MN

  • City of Woodbury was incorporated in 1967. Planning & Economic Development Dept. report tonight.
  • Residents & developers are stakeholders of City depts. You should be here! Woodbury City Hall
  • Big crowd at meeting tonight. Impressive that Community Development Dept. is paperless!
  • ‘Fields of Woodbury’ nick name for Sub Phase 2A development - South of Bielenberg Sports Center. Planning only at this time due to uncertain economy.
  • Considering vote on sewer bidding at next Council meeting July 27th, 2011. Yes it will be.
  • PCI - pavement condition index and street major maintenance plans being discussed.
  • Streets in bad condition due to delays. Keeping levies low or nil last few years due to downturn. #Woodbury
  • If we had to put off projects due to lack of dollars then where does $$$ come from to take advantage of bidding environment?
  • Woodbury, MN would be exempt from levy caps set by State due to prior resolution passed by city to opt in to performance measures by ICMA.
  • City #Woodbury getting high performance measures. Award by Intl City/County Mgnt Association (ICMA) expected in Sept.
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