From: Ted Godshalk
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment from Mr. Ted Godshalk for February 6, 2024 Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:57:03 PM
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Public Comment from Mr. Ted Godshalk for February 6, 2024:
Council,
First, the request made to the council for information about the New Year’s Eve explosions in our community has not been answered on the record as of tonight. The community deserves to know about the extent and location of the activity and the police response. Please ask again for a report.
Second, when the formal question during Consent Agenda was posed to the City Attorney to provide an explanation for the the $44,000 expenditure to the outside law firm of Devaney law firm, the City Attorney responsed that he would look it up. He did get back to me, but did he also get back to you? You were authorizing the spending.
A portion of the spending went towards the city’s defense against the Cannabis companies' lawsuits. Tonight there is more spending with this firm. Do we continue to pay Cali Mota and Devaney for the decisions you made to sell weed in our city? Be honest and talk about it with the community at Council Meetings and at your District neighborhood events.
It looks like you may be approving spending you don’t have full information on at the time of voting. Or you have the information and don’t tell the community. That is troublesome.
Third, I have had conversations with both Mr. Parra and Mr. Amatee about the need for the residents of National City to have training for disaster preparedness and response. It goes deeper than the CERT team. This planning for our survival of natural events should happen through Neighborhood Councils and the need is more evident than ever. What will the City propose tonight for the future well being, the resiliency, of our residents? Lastly, as a Director of the non-profit organization Paradise Creek Educational Park INC., I will be working this year to design a project for the basin at 18th Street between Hoover Avenue and National City Blvd. This project will counter the misguided TODO plan with smart retreat, pedestrian trails, and a new expanded wetland basin that can help manage big storms and high tide events, provide the resiliency we need, and improve our community quality of life.
This is a time when you must do your best work, be inspired and sincere, and act with a sense of urgency for homeowners, renters, and business interests.
Ted Godshalk
General Comment - Ted Godshalk
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Approval Request
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:25:51 PM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
To complete my comments from the Emergency meeting: WE NEED systemic change with infrastructure work. The storm drains and the strategy for water conveyance in National City are not products of 21st Century engineers. Near Paradise Creek, buildings must retreat from the basin at 18th Street. This experience must INFORM YOUR BUDGET decisions this year and into the future. Remember to act with a sense of urgency, be sincere, inspired, and thorough. Act in the interest of homeowners, too.
for Presentation - Update on Local Emergency Caused by Severe Rainstorm and Flooding in Regular City Council Meeting 2/6/2024 6:00:00 PM
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Item 5.1 - Ted Godshalk
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Approval Request
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:25:47 PM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
The reorganization plan proposed by Mr. Martinez should SHOW MORE DETAIL. To be transparent and better informed, the plan tonight should show where ALL cost savings cited is seen. Please prove the claim. Also, the chart should show all management positions in all departments and the salaries of those positions. Lastly, the Engineering and Public Works Divisions should be separated due to the work load and complexity of the services delivered to our residents.
for Reorganization of the City Manager’s Office, Departments, and Divisions in Regular City Council Meeting 2/6/2024 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.4 - Ted Godshalk
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Public Comment
Subject: Comment for Item 11.4, February 6, 2024
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:11:35 PM
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Comment for Item 11.4 from Margaret Godshalk
Good Evening Mayor, Counsel, Staff, and Public,
I am glad to see that the recommended reorganization of City Departments calls for the separation of the Library and Community Services. With Joyce Ryan’s departure from the library, the position of City Librarian is currently filled with an Acting City Librarian. I urge the City Manager to open a process to make a call for qualified candidates for this position.
In the past, the city established an interview committee to evaluate and recommend the candidate best qualified for the position. I urge the city to include on the interview committee a member of the Library Board of Trustees (as has happened in the past), as well as a member of the library staff. Their experience would surely be an asset during this important process.
Thank you for your attention.
Margaret Godshalk
Item 11.4 - Margaret Godshalk