A Modesto Bee editorial alleged that the Hughson City Council had decided to hire a temporary city manager before the meeting to make the move, a violation of the California open meeting laws. -DB
Editorial
November 9, 2009
We encourage Hughson residents to show up at tonight’s City Council meeting and ask some hard questions.
At a special meeting Thursday, on a 3-2 vote, the council voted to bring Dave Whiteside back as the temporary city manager. Of course the city hasn’t officially gotten rid of its current manager, though that’s in the works.
It appears three of the five council members had already decided what they were going to do before Thursday’s meeting, suggesting to us — and others — that there was a violation of the Brown Act, the state’s public meeting law.
Furthermore, why was an emergency meeting needed when a regular meeting was only a few days away?
The council also has a closed session scheduled with its police chief, Janet Rasmussen. The city contracts with the Sheriff’s Department for police services.
Hughson city government is in disarray and things will only get better if citizens insist on openness and explanations.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 in City Hall, 7018 Pine St.
Other key meetings around the county:
After talking for months about where to put redevelopment, on Tuesday the Turlock City Council, in its dual role as the redevelopment agency, is expected to firm up its five-year priority list. What people want to know is whether the big bucks will go to renovate the Turlock High football stadium, to rebuild the Carnegie Arts Center or to put up a parking lot — or some mix thereof. There’s been lots of public interest in this subject. The redevelopment session follows the regular council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., City Hall, 156 South Broadway.
Today, the Stanislaus Council of Governments holds the first of four workshops on the 2011 regional transportation plan. The session is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Patterson Library, 48 N. Salado Ave. Subsequent workshops are planned in Modesto (Nov. 18), Oakdale (Nov. 19) and Turlock (Nov. 23). This isn’t about any specific roadway, but about priorities for spending transportation dollars — not just for roads but also for bike paths and public transit.
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors has what appears to be a routine agenda at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Basement, Tenth Street Place.
On Tuesday, the Modesto City Council will decide whether to commit to the new animal shelter as a joint project with the county and four other cities. The price has dropped, but it’s still a difficult time to spend big dollars. 5:30 p.m., basement chambers, Tenth Street Place.
Because of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Yosemite Community College District trustees meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto.
The North County Corridor Transportation Expressway Authority also moves its monthly meeting to Thursday, 4 p.m., basement room 1010, Tenth Street Place.
Copyright 2009 The Modesto Bee