First, the second part #
We were exhausted by the time the Committee of the Whole meeting started at 8:45pm. We covered one topic on the CoW agenda, regarding structure of the CoW, we did so quickly, and then like tired boxers we stumbled to the exit and to our cars. Every other topic on the CoW agenda was postponed.
Board #
RCEDC #
This was non-thrilling.
One thing though…
You know how some data gets repeated so often that it becomes ‘fact’ and then you start hearing it all over the place like it’s a given? Well, I heard again in the presentation the assertion that “we (Racine County) need 4300 homes.” Not 4000, not 5000, not 4500, but 4300. So I asked:
“What was your methodology, and how much margin for error is in those numbers?”
Answer: I don’t have the details. We can connect with you offline.
I’ll follow up and let you know. Why do I care? The margin for error is really important. If the low end of the estimate is 0 homes and the high end is 6000 and we’ve settled on 4300, then actions we take to serve the perceived need would change dramatically if the real number were at either extreme.
I am also naturally skeptical of “experts” predicting what the free market will figure out on its own. And there are always unintended consequences of the government inserting itself via incentives.
Quarry #
So I asked the question: What is our obligation to approve this every two years?
The answer was we don’t have one but we have been re-approving their permit as long as they are meeting code and being good neighbors. (That last part seems a bit squishy.)
This one is a gnarly mess. Quarry has been there forever. Neighborhood grows up around it. Quarry gets approval to expand, not without some controversy. Seems as unfair to the residents to keep setting off explosions in their back yard as it does to abruptly cut off the property owner from making a living and rendering their property valueless.
This was approved for a 2-year extension, but I want to learn more about what the ordinance says and the good neighbor expectations. And it’s always good to know the history. So yay, more homework.
Website #
I get my own ad hoc committee to see what we can do with the website. I’ll be writing a scope statement and drafting a list of people to be involved. If any member of the public would like to participate in any way, let me know. The effort should be limited and relatively short duration.
Closed session (again) #
Topics were TID 5 and TID 6.
I told Stella exactly what happened last night, but I can’t tell you.
I will say this, though. I lived up to my campaign promise that all our big decisions would ask the simple question: What’s in it for the residents?
When we came out of closed session, we kicked the TID 6 developer agreement down the road again based on discussions in the closed session. If you want to know more, you’ll have to get it out of Stella. She’s sworn to secrecy and she knows who has the carrots and peppermints.
Duration #
2 hours 51 minutes, but it felt longer.
That’s the shortest meeting of the 3 I’ve done so far.
3:15, 3:45, and now 2:51 … there’s a problem here, but maybe I’ll leave that for another day.
Once again, the interesting part of this meeting happened in closed session. The public that did show up and then wait around didn’t get much out of attendance.