Don Haddix
07-30-2008, 11:06 AM
A Task Force can serve a vital role. But it can also hurt an effort or serve a political agenda. Remember, the office of Mayor has the appointment rights for most Task Forces.
So, here are my opinions on what a Task Force for PTC should be, using the model of an issue that impacts all of PTC and includes a developer seeking Council Approval:
Must never be used to politically escape a duty of Council
Must be given proper direction as to scoop and goal of function.
Must be given proper instructions on what is and is not to be considered.
Must clearly understand their findings are recommendations only. Council is not bound by their recommendations because it is to be understood Council must consider broader issues and impacts than the Task Force, issues may arise between the time of the Task Force findings and the Council vote and a Task Force potentially could be formed to pursue a goal a Council Member or members opposes.
No Council Members on the Task Force. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
No PTC Staff. They work for Council, thus cannot be considered unbiased. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
No PTC employees. Again issues of bias.
No developer, developer employee or association with company doing business with the developer. Absolute bias and undue influence. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
Composition needs to be as evenly distributed between the Villages as possible to give a voice from all parts of PTC.
A Task Force is to be an independent body. That independence must be preserved.
To begin a process with the developer, a Council Member and/or Staff present as part of the process is to tell the Force it is a foregone vote and conclusion the developer desires are already approved. Or with Council or Staff present what the outcome is to be.
As we have seen the Task Force itself then becomes an argument by the developer and the supporting Council Members to justify their positions when in fact the Task Force was formed to arrive at findings supporting the developer and the supporting Council Members. The possibility of findings against either is small at best.
So, here are my opinions on what a Task Force for PTC should be, using the model of an issue that impacts all of PTC and includes a developer seeking Council Approval:
Must never be used to politically escape a duty of Council
Must be given proper direction as to scoop and goal of function.
Must be given proper instructions on what is and is not to be considered.
Must clearly understand their findings are recommendations only. Council is not bound by their recommendations because it is to be understood Council must consider broader issues and impacts than the Task Force, issues may arise between the time of the Task Force findings and the Council vote and a Task Force potentially could be formed to pursue a goal a Council Member or members opposes.
No Council Members on the Task Force. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
No PTC Staff. They work for Council, thus cannot be considered unbiased. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
No PTC employees. Again issues of bias.
No developer, developer employee or association with company doing business with the developer. Absolute bias and undue influence. Available for questions as needed but not inputting voluntarily as part of the decision making process.
Composition needs to be as evenly distributed between the Villages as possible to give a voice from all parts of PTC.
A Task Force is to be an independent body. That independence must be preserved.
To begin a process with the developer, a Council Member and/or Staff present as part of the process is to tell the Force it is a foregone vote and conclusion the developer desires are already approved. Or with Council or Staff present what the outcome is to be.
As we have seen the Task Force itself then becomes an argument by the developer and the supporting Council Members to justify their positions when in fact the Task Force was formed to arrive at findings supporting the developer and the supporting Council Members. The possibility of findings against either is small at best.