There are seven city council members and the mayor. Council members represent 5 wards and two at-large seats.
Elections for three Fairfield City Council seats will be held Tuesday, November 3rd; Myron Gookin for At-Large, John Revolinski in Ward 2 and Martha Norbeck in Ward 4. The term is 4 years.
Please review the maps. Think about who might be a good candidate and let them know. NOW is the time to act.
Nomination papers must be submitted by 4pm on September 17. Ten signatures from residents of the Ward are required. Call Joy Messer at City Hall for papers, 641-472-6193.
The Jefferson County Democrats are eager to help with a campaign. Now we need a candidate.
Some committees meet more often than others. Issues come to committees three ways:
the mayor refers and issue to a committee if it involves more in-depth or controversial review,
citizen concern or complaint,
committee member initiative.
TIME, PAY, PREPARATION
Pay is $115 per month. The time commitment starts at about 12 hours per month. However, to be effective, a council member should plan to devote 6+ hours a week.
Before each full council meeting, members receive a packet with information supporting the issues to be discussed at the next meeting. Ideally, every member studies the packet at length, reads the corresponding section of the city code (if appropriate), investigates issues further if appropriate, and arrives well prepared to have an intelligent and informed discussion of the issues.
FAIRFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE
This is the law by which the council should abide. It has been cobbled together over many years. Portions are woefully out of date. The chapter on zoning and subdivisions represents a 1970’s attitude that promotes sprawl and prohibits the diverse, cozy qualities of the central city which we enjoy.
The ideal council member would engage citizens to help review this code and develop improvements that better serve the economic and environmental needs of all classes of citizens.
Citizens are rarely present at council meetings and almost never at committee meetings. When they do speak up, it is often on a very personal matter and rarely rises to the level of a discussion of the good of the whole.
There is a crying need for citizens to become engaged in their local government. This is where the rubber hits the road. The US House and Senate may have interesting conversations, but city government is where we decide the intimate details about how to clean your water, process your sewage, protect your safety, grow/raise food, have parties, care for your dog, etc….
AN IDEAL COUNCIL MEMBER (in Martha’s opinion)
This person would be aware and supportive of the basic concerns behind environmental issues: land use, transportation, city planning, recycling/waste management, local and organic food, energy efficiency, alternative energy....
They would:
Have the time and inclination to learn more about environmental issues issues and seek out information and support from those experts who live right here in Fairfield;
Hold Ward meetings and/or citizen action meetings to help engage citizens in creating these changes;
Study the council packet before meetings;
Have the gumption to call those who disagree with them and seek a common ground;
Seek to understand and appreciate opposing viewpoints;
Have the patience and compassion to accept that others may not be as committed or informed and learn how to overcome those shortcomings;
Be compassionate, but firm and thoughtful, in addressing concerns of citizens - even those that they find odd or objectionable.
Work with Fairfield’s new sustainability coordinator to implement Fairfield’s Sustainability Plan.
A few ideas of what can, and should be, addressed by the council:
CityLand to be managed in accordance with organic standards, including parks and city owned farm land.
Zoning and subdivision rules should be modified to support the triple bottom line (economy, environment, equity)
Chickens and other small livestock – allow them in a manner that allows household food production without creating a nuisance for neighbors.
Yards – develop a plan for allowance of prairie plants and food production that balances ecological goals with opinions about a perception of “neatness.”
Alternative Energy – where, when, how.
Recycling – household and commercial, improve the system.
Construction waste recycling – we have none.
Composting – city pick up, commercial, residential
Building codes – currently the city has no building code enforcement which denies us the opportunity to even ensure that new buildings meet the minimum state energy code. Not to mention the fact that we very few means for ensuring the basic safety of our built structures.
Energy Efficiency – continue plan to improve efficiency in all city departments.
City Procurement – create and implement green purchasing policy for all departments.
Storm Water Management - create demonstration projects on city property.
