City Council Meeting- Jan. 8, 2008

The City Council meeting started off with the swearing in of the re-elected and newly elected Council members. After a packed house clapped and the new members took their seats, your 2008 City Council is (from left to right): Lauren Walker, Connie Ladenburg, Rick Talbert, Spiro Manthou, Mayor Baarsma, Mike Lonergan, Julie Anderson, Jake Fey and Marilyn Strickland.

As for business, here’s the rundown:

• Numerous people spoke during the Public Comment Period in support of the adoption of Ordinance 27684- creation of an Alcohol Impact Area in the Lincoln District.
• Spiro Manthou was elected as Deputy Mayor for the year.
• Resolution 37367 was approved and, as a result, a three person committee consisting of a human resources professional, a former City Council members and a City resident will be formed to make a recommendation on whether or not Council members should get health benefits. The recommendation is due March 11th.
• Ordinance 27684, the creation of an AIA, will be voted on next week.
• Tonight was the first meeting of the month, so it was citizen’s forum. Comments this evening included: the introduction of a new citizens group called Walk the Waterfront, a group devoted to improving parks and public access to the waterfront; comments against the expansion of the Sperry Ocean Dock and the need to separate environmental clean-up and the expansion; and the always exciting Robert Hill made comments on the state of our currency.

It was an exciting night and we look forward to watching the new Council members as they start to weigh in on issues.