Renner apologizes for poor communication as council mulls limiting mayoral power

Posted on November 21, 2017

 

Tari Renner
Mayor Tari Renner apologized Monday night for not clearly communicating agenda items he wants considered at city council meetings. Alderman David Sage proposes the mayor be required to gain a council majority of five members to place items on meeting agendas.
(Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner has apologized for miscommunication to the city council that may have led to a proposal limiting some of his powers.

Alderman David Sage would like to see the council adopt rule changes requiring the mayor and city council garner signatures of five members, which is a majority, to place items on council meeting agendas.

Currently, the mayor doesn’t need aldermen’s consent and council members need approval from five of their colleagues.

The tone of Monday night’s discussion was conciliatory. No one criticized the mayor, but Renner pledged to do a better job informing aldermen about agenda items.

“I also apologize to my colleagues who felt the need to bring this up, some very well intentioned colleagues, for some structural reasons because of either mis (communication) or, I’ll (take) another step forward, poor communication on my part,” said Renner.

Sage said the change will build teamwork and avoid wasting the staff’s time on issues that don’t have majority support.

Alderman Scott Black said private lobbying to obtain council majorities might violate the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and
Alderman Amelia Buragas does not want to suppress minority viewpoints in a public setting.

“I would be very concerned at adopting new policies or procedures that restricted our ability to put ideas out into the public forum or created the impression that we can’t discuss ideas,” Buragas remarked.

The council is expected to discuss the topic again at its December 11th meeting.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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