Opening Jingle: Welcome to the Merv Tarkington show, where we talk about the issues that really matter. Let’s tune in.

Merv Tarkington: Good morning folks, and welcome to another edition of the Merv Tarkington Show. Today, we’re going to talk about the latest developments coming out of the City Council. Specifically, we’re going to dissect a memo that outlines the framework for future meetings. I know it sounds boring, but trust me, this is important. The memo in question details the steps that the Council is taking to produce a draft of the Form-Based Code, and it’s our job to find out what that means for us. So let’s get into it.

Now, let me tell you, I’m not a big believer in bureaucracy. But sometimes, we have to make an exception, especially when there’s so much at stake. The meeting framework that was adopted on March 14, 2023, is a good example of this. It’s designed to produce results efficiently, and that’s something we can all get behind. The framework includes ground rules, a well-defined purpose, the objectives of the meeting, explicit outcomes, and an agenda with estimated time frames for each discussion.

Now, let’s talk about these ground rules for a second. I know some of you might think they’re unnecessary, but trust me, they’re not. The rules are there to make sure that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. And believe me, we need that right now. Our country is more divided than ever, and we need to find ways to work together. So, let’s start with the first rule: come prepared to take action. That means you need to do your homework and come ready to contribute. Review the material and prepare cogent positions on any changes you feel are necessary ahead of the meeting. And be willing to accept the majority position and move on. We want equitable contributions among Commissioners.

Moving on, the purpose of the meeting is to develop a recommendation to the Council supported by the majority, if not consensus, on the drafts of each of the General Plan Elements, the Gateway Area Plan, and the Form-Based Code by July 11, 2023. This is important, folks. We need to develop a recommendation that everyone can get behind. And that means we need to work together and come up with solutions that benefit everyone.

Our objectives are clear. We want to complete review and provide recommendation on priority issues within a particular Element at each meeting, holding over minor concerns to later revision. We want to provide concise changes in policy referring explicitly to the draft provided by staff. We want to work to build consensus efficiently. And if consensus cannot be reached to advance to a vote, to work towards a recommendation that the majority can support.

Now, let’s talk about the outcomes. The outcome of this work will be revised drafts of each Element and FBC that will receive a consensus, or lacking consensus a majority, recommendation. This is important, folks. We need to make sure that we’re making the right decisions and that everyone is on board.

And finally, let’s talk about the polling options. There are several polling techniques that the Commission can use to efficiently resolve policy changes and/or disagreements. We recommend simple straw polling, negative polling, and gradients of agreement. These techniques will allow us to quickly resolve matters in an equitable and efficient way.

In conclusion, folks, this memo is important. It outlines the steps that the Council is taking to produce a draft of the Form-Based Code. And it’s our job to make sure that we’re working together to come up with solutions that benefit everyone. So, let’s get to work, and let’s make sure that our voices are heard. Thank you for listening, folks, and we’ll see you next time on the Merv Tarkington Show.

— LoCOBot