WHO’S ACCOUNTABLE ?  PART 1

Having found myself within the walls of City Hall I thought it best to confirm what I thought to be, the legal description of a council persons duties….. Demands and Limits….. Public Expectations that are to guide the conduct of all of those placed in a position of trust. I am of course referring not only to each Council Person …… But, if I may be permitted to simply state, The Stars of City Government …… The Mayor ……. City Manager…… Who sit at the TOP of City Administrative Echelon .  Those upon whose shoulders rest the responsibilities of not only long term planning….. Recently outlined by the Mayors State of the City Address ….. But, I believe more importantly…… by statute……Are charged to oversee the daily operation of the city.    

My fellow citizens so that WE may all have a better understanding of the Power and Authority of those elected or appointed to direct the matters of the City I will present portions of the St. George City Code. I will begin with Title 1 Administration----Chapter 1 Official City Code.

1-1-1: TITLE: Upon the adoption by the city council, this city code is hereby declared to be and shall hereafter constitute the official city code of the city of St. George. This city code of ordinances shall be known and cited as the St. George City Code and is hereby published by authority of the city council and shall be supplemented to incorporate the most recent legislation of the city as provided in section 1-1-3 of this chapter.

Chapter 6 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.  1-6-1: LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNING BODY:

The mayor and city council shall be the legislative and governing body of this city and privileges and authority conferred by law upon the city, and SHALL perform all duties required of them by this code or other as such shall have, exercise and discharge all the rights, powers, laws of the city.

1-6-3: POWER AND DUTIES:  A. General Duties: The council shall perform such other duties as are or may be prescribed by the statutes of this state or by the provisions of this code, and shall perform such other acts and take such other measures, not inconsistent with law, as may be necessary for the efficient government of the city.

1-6-4:MAYOR:  A. General Duties: The mayor SHALL perform all duties which are or may be prescribed by law, or the provisions of this code, and SHALL SEE THAT THE LAWS ARE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.

B. Presiding Officer; Voting: It shall be the duty of the mayor to preside at all meetings of the council, but he shall not vote, except in case of a tie vote of the council or in the appointment or dismissal of a City Manager.

C. Mayor Pro Tem: In case of the temporary absence of the mayor from the city, or in case of his temporary inability to perform the duties of his office, it SHALL be his duty to communicate such fact to the members of the council; whereupon. It SHALL become the duty of the council to elect some member of the governing body to act as mayor pro tem, and during such time that council member is so acting in the capacity of mayor pro tem, he shall have power to exercise all the functions and duties of the mayor.

F. General, Specific Duties: 

1. The Mayor Shall:

a. Keep the peace and enforce the laws of the city. 

 b. Remit fines and forfeitures;

 c. Report remittances under subsection F1b of this section to the council at its next regular session;   d. Perform all duties prescribed by law, resolution or ordinance;

e. Ensure that all the laws, ordinances and resolutions are faithfully executed and observed;

f. Report to the council condition of the city and recommend for council consideration any measures that the mayor considers to be in the best interest of the city;

g. When necessary, call on the residents of the city over age of twenty one (21) years to assist in enforcing the laws of the state and ordinances of the municipality;

h. Appoint, with the advice and consent of the council, persons to fill municipal offices or vacancies on commissions or committees of the municipality; and

i. Report to the council any release granted under subsection F2b of this section. Subsection F1h does not apply to the appointment of a manager under section 1-7-2 of this title.

2. The Mayor May:

a. At any reasonable time, examine and inspect the official books, papers, records or documents of the city or of any officer, employee or agent of the city; and

b. Release any person imprisoned for violation of any municipal ordinance.

G. May Limit Use of Water: In the event of scarcity of water, the mayor may, by proclamation, limit the use of water for any purpose other than domestic purposes to such extent as may be required for the public good in the judgement of the council.

H. Revision of Ordinances: The mayor may appoint by and with the advice and consent of the council, one or more competent persons to prepare and submit to the council for the adoption or rejection, a revision of the ordinances of the city, and for the government of the city, and the compensation of such revisors shall be determined and fixed by the council and paid out of the treasury.

My friends, I have provide an overview of City Ordinances that I hope lend a feeling of transparency as it relates to the Power and Authority given by statute to the Mayor and City Council members. Clearly specific duties rest heavily upon the Mayors shoulders. While it may sound overwhelming relief is available in the form of Boards and Commissions and City Departments in which the Mayor may invite Council Members to attend proceedings and/or interact with employees.  

COUNCILMAN HUGHES:

City Department Water & Energy     Animal Shelter     Flood Control     Housing Authority     Local Homeless Coordinating Committee.

MPO-Dixie Transportation Executive Committee     Solid Waste Board     St. George Golf Club Task Force     Cat Team Area 6 & 8.

COUNCILWOMAN RANDALL: City Department Police & Fire     Lower Virgin River Fuels & Fire Board     Shade Tree Board     Solid Waste Board     Veterans Advisory Board     Doctors Volunteer Clinic     Cat Team Area 2 & 4.   

COUNCILMAN BOWCUTT: City Department Public Works     Red Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Ad Hoc Committee     Drainage Board     Planning Commission     Snow Canyon Joint Management Commission     Solid Waste Board     Airport Board     Cat Team Area 1 & 3.

COUNCILWOMAN ARIAL: 

City Department Arts     Art Around the Corner     Arts Commission     Art Museum Board     Historic Preservation Commission     Dixie Center Board – WCIA Board     MPO –Dixie     Solid Waste Board     Children’s Museum Board     Cat Team Area 5 & 7.

COUNCILMAN BACA:     City Department Leisure Services     Air Quality Task Force     Dinosaur Track Advisory Board     Flood Control     Hillside Review Board     Mosquito Abatement     Cat Team Area 9 & 10.  

Folks, please note that City of St. George does not have Council Districts. Each council member serves At Large, meaning the entire city. Citizens should feel free to contact any individual member of council or all of them as they may elect to do. I have established office hours at City Hall making myself available to the public each Thursday between the hours of 9AM to 11AM. Public may phone City Hall Receptionist 627-4000 to schedule appointment or leave message.

As I close my second month on the council I can report to you that I have met often with the Mayor who has initiated contact or when I have availed myself to the open door invitation he has extended to me.  As a new member of the city council I am still seeking to learn and develop the best course of action to communicate and exchange information/thoughts and ideas with fellow council members. It appears that most communication is done by e-mail or texting and in a limited form during and after council meetings. It is my hope to expand on this.

I can tell you that I have been very impressed with the demeanor and high caliber of city employees who have been most helpful and friendly. The Mayor has led in this favorable impression as I have watched how he appears to work tirelessly to serve the citizens of St. George. I have found that while we may not agree on every single issue, the Mayor is a good and willing communicator open to thoughts and ideas of others.

For those of you who may not have heard the State of the City Address given by the mayor, I will attempt to pass on his words to the citizens of St. George.  Mission statement for city…..We provide services that focus on people and advance a thriving community.  Vision statement ….. We are an active community, rich in culture, with a diverse and vibrant economy that supports people doing great things. Values ….. Integrity – We are honest in our actions and communications. Innovation and efficiency – We encourage new ideas and solve challenges in ways that create value for our citizens. Professional and Personable Service – We value those we serve and treat them with respect. Teamwork – We approach opportunities and challenges as a team and find ways to help each other succeed. Excellence – We believe success is achieved by defining and exceeding the expectations of our citizens. The mayor closed with the statement…..MORE HAPPENING AHEAD!  The heartbeat of the City of St. George can be found in its committed employees. Men and women engaged in a cause far larger than any single individual. We honor those who tirelessly strive to serve, teach, protect and enhance our community.

My friends, part two of this Senior Sample Article will soon follow and will contain an outline of the City Ordinance pertaining to ARTICLE A. CITY MANAGER. 1-7A-1. I intend to provide you with an understanding of the City Managers POWERS AND DUTIES…..With comments on my observations.

Thank You. ED BACA, Councilman, City of St. George.