Special Board of Aldermen Public Hearing Page 11
Mayor Donchess
You asked so I’m going to explain it. It’s not up because of the proposal. Normally what happens is
that the Mayor — in this case that’s me — proposes after hearing from the departments proposes to
the Board of Aldermen which project we should undertake. Now what I’ve suggested that out of that
$1.2 million, citizens be allowed to make suggestions and vote on projects that would be proposed to
the Board of Aldermen. Still have to be approved by them. So it’s just another way of proposing
projects. The people would not get paid. If you look at the results of this process around the country
and we would definitely not be the first city in the country or the first city in New England. There are
numerous cities in New England that do this already. In those places where they do it, the results at
least from what | see are pretty positive.
Number one, they come up with projects that the officials don’t necessarily think of. They might be
aware of a building that needs improvement, or a sidewalk, or might have a different idea as to what’s
important. Secondly, the number of people participating and voting on these things is going up in
every community where they’re doing it. So the thousands of people in some communities end up
voting. Third, the cities that do it are increasing the amount that they allocate to this process every
year. They’re not decreasing, they’re increasing because they see it as a big success. Obviously
there is disagreement about this. Some aldermen feel that the money would be better spent
elsewhere and maybe they’re right. All I’m saying is that no volunteers get paid. It’s not an increase.
It’s just a different way of allocating money in a budget that’s similar to last years and that it’s an
attempt to get more people, maybe hundreds or thousands of people involved in thinking about city
budgeting that aren’t involved now. Wouldn't you like to propose something for your neighborhood
and maybe be able to vote on it?
Paula Johnson
You know Mayor, | have proposed things for my neighborhood. My alderman is sitting right here and
when | came in| spoke to the Chief of Police about my neighborhood. The fact that for two years
already | have asked if the Police could please come down because by Ledgewood Hills, the cars
keep running the red light. It is completely red and they just keep going through in each direction.
I’ve asked to propose this. As a matter of fact, | was speaking to the Chief of Police when | came in
and alderman made a comment to me about being fired up. Of course I’m a little fired up about it
because | pay taxes in this city. We don’t see any results right at that corner and all the money
seems to go with the police for this opioid epidemic which we understand. There has to be some
money that goes for the rest of the people in this city. Yeah | was a little bit fired up but so is
everybody. You heard several at the town hall style meeting because of the fact we can’t get any
police over there. | would like to see maybe that $200,000 that you want to put in this to have the
police sit out there and a lot of traffic lights in this city that these people are so rude that they keep
running the red lights and somebody is going to get killed somewhere. Then it’s already been
complained about.
Mayor Donchess
Well you may get your wish because the Finance Committee recommended that that $200,000 go to
police overtime. You may get your wish. Alderman Siegel made the proposal. It was adopted by the
Finance Committee. Now | like the proposal | made but if you’re going to switch the money, | think
police overtime is a good place to put it.
Paula Johnson
| thank that the police just need to get out there and we need to focus on something else other than
this opioid crisis because we all live in the city and we all need the police protection. It’s a sad thing
