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The public talked more than usual at Monday night's Danville City Commission meeting.
More input from residents can be expected from now on after the commission voted to add public comments to the beginning of meetings, in addition to the usual period for comments toward the end of the meeting.
At the last meeting on Jan. 14, Commissioner James “J.H.” Atkins proposed that the public have a chance to address the commission before moving forward with the agenda, in an effort to improve effective governance in 2013. Other commissioners agreed the proposal was a good idea, but no motion was made to that effect.
When Monday's meeting started to proceed without public comments, Atkins spoke up, saying he would like to make an official motion for the additional public comments.
The other commissioners agreed to the motion, passing it with a 4-1 vote, as Mayor Bernie Hunstad would have preferred to have special-called meetings to offer the public more time to address the commission, as needed.
The public comments at the beginning of the meeting will be limited to two minutes per person and must address an issue on the agenda.
In other business:
Called the Safe Route to Schools, the trail initiative was described as a way to connect each area of Danville through multiple trails and provide safe trails for children to get home from school safely.
But Kirchner said one of the main goals of the trails is to attract families and tourists to Danville.
Goodwin added that one of Danville’s barriers to creating a better community is a lack of access to walking and transportation.
“I really hope we can utilize these resources before they’re gone,” Goodwin said.
The discussion of exercise was brought up by Mary Jane Hall, a school teacher, who said childhood obesity rates are rising harshly.
Hall said she also finds it “silly” that the schools have to schedule and pay for buses to make field trips to places school children could easily walk to.
Hunstad said he has a lot of interest in the project, which has a budget of roughly $100,000. He agreed something needs to be done about childhood obesity and said the trails could be multi-purpose.
“It would be great to see success and this plan put to action,” he said.
Kirchner said most of the leg work had been accomplished on the project but that she would be calling on the support of commissioners at upcoming meetings.
More input from residents can be expected from now on after the commission voted to add public comments to the beginning of meetings, in addition to the usual period for comments toward the end of the meeting.
At the last meeting on Jan. 14, Commissioner James “J.H.” Atkins proposed that the public have a chance to address the commission before moving forward with the agenda, in an effort to improve effective governance in 2013. Other commissioners agreed the proposal was a good idea, but no motion was made to that effect.
When Monday's meeting started to proceed without public comments, Atkins spoke up, saying he would like to make an official motion for the additional public comments.
The other commissioners agreed to the motion, passing it with a 4-1 vote, as Mayor Bernie Hunstad would have preferred to have special-called meetings to offer the public more time to address the commission, as needed.
The public comments at the beginning of the meeting will be limited to two minutes per person and must address an issue on the agenda.
In other business:
- A trails project was presented by Jennifer Kirchner of Leadership Boyle County, as well as members Ann Goodwin, Clay Albright and Mary Jane Hall.
Called the Safe Route to Schools, the trail initiative was described as a way to connect each area of Danville through multiple trails and provide safe trails for children to get home from school safely.
But Kirchner said one of the main goals of the trails is to attract families and tourists to Danville.
Goodwin added that one of Danville’s barriers to creating a better community is a lack of access to walking and transportation.
“I really hope we can utilize these resources before they’re gone,” Goodwin said.
The discussion of exercise was brought up by Mary Jane Hall, a school teacher, who said childhood obesity rates are rising harshly.
Hall said she also finds it “silly” that the schools have to schedule and pay for buses to make field trips to places school children could easily walk to.
Hunstad said he has a lot of interest in the project, which has a budget of roughly $100,000. He agreed something needs to be done about childhood obesity and said the trails could be multi-purpose.
“It would be great to see success and this plan put to action,” he said.
Kirchner said most of the leg work had been accomplished on the project but that she would be calling on the support of commissioners at upcoming meetings.
