In recent years at City Hall, former City Councilman Gary Silbiger and contemporary Councilperson Meghan Sahli-Wells have aggressively promoted the sensitive turf issue of much greater direct community involvement in decision-making.
Typically, the subject has been social justice.
Almost without exception, their colleagues have been as cool about the perceived encroachment as the Progressive Council members’ have been committed.
The idea has been back in the air since July, when Measure Y, the proposed half-cent sales tax increase, was formulated.
The difference this time is that the debate is about money rather than social justice.
What’s the Rush?
While the Council agreed three months ago to welcome a community-based Financial Advisory Committee – supposedly only if Measure Y passes on Nov. 6 – it has not broken any speed records in getting around to organizing it.
Last week, without detectable enthusiasm, they agreed to increase the membership from seven to nine. Applications are expected to be solicited in November and December with appointments due in January.
When freshman Councilman Jim Clarke was was asked his opinion of an advisory committee, he answered with an illustrative story.
“After I was elected to the Council last April but before I was seated a few days later,” he said, “I knew the budget issue would be one of the first topics we would have to deal with. I brought together some Culver City residents who were familiar with financial issues.
“We tore the budget apart and looked at it. We thoroughly examined it so I could be well informed.
Focus Must Be Precise
“And so the idea of a residents’ committee doing something like that is vital, very helpful. I look forward to it.”
Mr. Clarke said, though, he had a regret.
“The other concern I had in this budget cycle was that we did not have the kind of outreach to the community that I would liked to have seen.
“The sales tax initiative (Measure Y) gave us a chance to do that,” Mr. Clarke said, “but that was after we already had passed the budget.
“So next time, I would like to see us start early, in April or May, before we get to the end of the fiscal year, and start doing outreach to the community, ask them how they would like their money to be spent, whether they would have suggestions for us to save money.”
Mr. Clarke realizes why there may not be strong historic precedent for this scenario.
“It is easier said than done,” he said. “Sometimes it is difficult to get people to come out for meetings. Here is what I mean. We had 450 people show up for a fracking meeting, but at the community meetings we held for the sales tax initiative, the most we had was 20.”
Mr. Clarke agrees with Ms. Sahli-Wells that the mission of a Financial Advisory Committee should be expanded, while insisting the initial focus is exclusively trained on Measure Y “because that is what we promised the people. I have been concerned about getting a committee together without any direction and not accomplishing anything.”
He also concurs with Ms. Sahli-Wells that the committee have permanent status “or as long as there is a need for it.”
