To the editor:
On June 6, City Council passed on first reading Ordinance No. 0823 (task forces and working groups). If passed on second reading, this could have a significant negative impact on Manitou’s grassroot efforts. Please read this ordinance to see for yourself.
It would bring these groups under the strict guidelines of city ordinances and, therefore, they would no longer be citizens-based groups whose sole intent is to work with the city to better the community; they would be dictated by city operations.
I would recommend such groups be aware of having a resolution established, for this would ensnare them as a city entity. A resolution that would presumably affirm a supportive and collaborative effort between the city and the grassroot group would actually bind this group to terms the city determines and, consequently, they would lose their autonomy over such decisions as who can serve on a task force/working group.
In previous council discussions, one argument for making most, if not all, community groups part of city operations is the fear that there could be a “call for unauthorized staff support or funding” (City Council April 4, 2023, regular meeting memorandum agenda Item J5). I would offer that these groups are not spending city money or providing staffing support; the city must formally propose and approve such funding and personnel support, not community groups. This is already noted in the pending ordinance.
I would hope City Council will consider the tremendous detriment of making community groups fall under the authority of city ordinances This would be the end of what council was encouraging: more community-based efforts toward improving our civic-minded town. How this is enacted could kill the notion of community grassroots efforts, a vital and honorable Manitou characteristic and, in turn, lean toward a more autocratic form of governing.
Please be aware of how Ordinance No. 0823 will negatively impact the benefit of pure community-based improvement efforts for Manitou. If you are planning to pursue such avenues, please be aware of how a city resolution will take away your right to function independently in an advisory capacity.
Rob Danin
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