Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

The Galt City Council did not take a stand Tuesday night on an ordinance Councilman Andrew Meredith proposed that would require city contractors to hire Galt residents.

Under Meredith's proposal, contractors who receive public works contracts over $50,000 would have to hire Galt residents as a certain percentage of their labor force.

Several council members had questions about the ordinance, and wanted more information to be presented and the idea to be explored more by staff. But the council was divided on the best way to find out more information.

The main contention point was staff time.

Whenever a council member wants to work on an ordinance, concept or project that would need staff time, the council must approve allowing staff to work with the council member.

Meredith said he wanted to meet with staff, work out some of the issues and have the council vote on the ordinance by Dec. 1.

Council members Barbara Payne and Darryl Clare both had concerns about the ordinance and said they would prefer to work on the city's goals at its yearly planning session, which usually takes place in January, and then see if Meredith's idea is a top priority. The concern they had is that the city is already busy with several public works projects, and staff time is limited.

"I'm not against trying to get jobs for Galt or necessarily against your program," Payne said. "But we need to look at the whole picture. We can't forget the situation we are in as far as economics."

Payne said by approving city staff to work with Meredith, they are "writing a blank check" on the staff time.

This led Meredith to accuse the council of putting up roadblocks to "kill" the ordinance. He said the council has approved staff time in many other situations without concern of staff not being able to complete other projects.

Councilman Donald Haines echoed Meredith's statements, saying the council has previously approved staff time for Delta Greens, a controversial senior housing project, without concern about it taking up too much time.

The council's final 3-2 vote was to have staff evaluate how much time an ordinance would take and discuss if the council wants to move forward with staff drafting an ordinance at its Nov. 17 meeting.

Haines and Meredith voted "no" because they thought the council should just approve the use of staff time at Tuesday's meeting.

Meredith said he wants the council to adopt the ordinance Dec. 1 at least on a trial basis instead of avoiding the issue. He said the economic crisis makes time of the essence in providing jobs to Galt residents.

"We gotta take care of the situation at hand. People are losing their houses right now as we speak, people are sitting in their living rooms right now debating how they are going to pay their utility bill. There is suffering going on right now," Meredith said.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz.

Reader Feedback

pucha wrote on Nov 4, 2009 2:28 PM:

" I think Meredith idea in general was good. I also think that contracters that get awarded City contracts should hire some Galt people. Now comes the however, I don't think he thought this whole thing though very well. He thinks that his proposal will fix every thing for the people that are hurting for jobs. He is not willing to listen to other people's input. This is a big, under taking. Andrew you need to start out slower do some trial runs with contracters on the next job's they get awarded, collect some positive data then come back to the Council and prove your point. Ater all your trying to help the people who need the job's don't you want to get it right the first time! Take it form some one who has seen you in action Flexibility is not your best trait!! "

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alf wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:38 AM:

" awww. andy doesn't get his way. awwww, all he needed to do was drop to the floor with legs flailing in the air. next time do more research. then come to the table. why should these companies be required to hire galtonians? do we think we have that kind of a labor force? i don't, but you never know. "

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EJ00114 wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:14 AM:

" The city council appeared very thoughtful and respectful toward Meredith and his proposal. They asked perfectly good questions but it was his additude that flared up because his presentation didn't go over quickly with the council. I think he assumed his
proposal was a done deal. It was Meredith who attacked the council for for making it personal stating they were against him. "

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EJ00114 wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:59 AM:

" It appeared the council members were only inquiring, asking relative important questions before moving forward so quickly. Meredith doesn't think things thru to want to hear another opinion except his own. He got angry because how dare they question him. "

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