City Council COW Rundown

During Pensacola City Council’s Committee of the Whole this afternoon, members will discuss the follow-through from a discussion had last week regarding the body’s rules and procedures.

Last Thursday, the council met with an attorney from Panama City in an effort to get a handle on how to better conduct its business. The council had long talked about holding such a session.

“I think it’s time for us to think of how we do our full job under this charter,” Councilwoman Megan Pratt said during last week’s meeting. “It’s really time for us to start figuring out how we can be more proactive.”

The Feb. 7 workshop consisted of council members sharing their concerns and thoughts on the post-charter operation of the city council. Following Pratt’s lead, members unloaded “a lot of jumbled things I’ve been churning on.”

Some members expressed a desire to be more able to place items on a council agenda. Others voiced support for returning to a committee system, being more proactive in creating ordinances and general efficiency.

Council President P.C. Wu said he was “very proud of this council” and that the workshop provided “very productive input,” but stressed to members that the city was operating differently than prior to the charter being passed.

“What happened was, there was a change in the charter,” Wu said, “a change in the way things were done.”

Attorney Doug Sale, who guided council through the session, described this post-charter period as a “very interesting and exciting time in the city’s life” and also a “significant cultural shift.” He listened as council members, one by one, expressed their individual concerns.

“I wanted to get an idea as to where your heads were at,” Sale told the council.

By meeting’s end, the council was of the mind to further retain Sale’s services—at $250 per hour—in order to continue the conversation on its rules and procedures. It’s a decision members will consider finalizing today.

“If you think I can help you,” Sale said to the council, “I would be delighted to try.”

Other issues on the council’s COW agenda today include several pension-related items, confirming the mayor’s appointment of a new airport director and the interlocal agreement between the city and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Council will also be discussing obtaining outside legal representation when the city attorney has a conflict of interest.

Council’s COW meeting begins immediately following the CRA meeting at 3:15 p.m. at Pensacola City Hall.