Possible efforts to weaken ethics rules for Broward municipalities and Wednesday morning's Hallandale Beach City Comm. meeting at 10 a.m.

It could be nothing more than a coincidence.

A sheer coincidence.

Then again, it could very well be that in the middle of the summer, with lots of people NOT paying attention, the Broward League of Cities, thru their president, Mayor Debby Eisinger of Cooper City, is now increasing their lobbying efforts before individual Broward city commissions to induce them to pass official resolutions supporting the weakening of the existing rules passed by the Broward County Commission.

See: Which Broward cities voted for watered-down ethics code?

By Brittany Wallman June 14, 2011 08:00 AM

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2011/06/which_broward_cities_voted_for.html#more

and

Making a presentation for Broward ethics,

By Debby Eisinger and Lisa K. Aronson, June 23, 2011

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-forum-league-of-cities-0623-20110623,0,7650371.story

Eisinger is scheduled to make a "presentation" before the Hallandale Beach City Commission on Wednesday morning shortly after 10 a.m.; agenda item 5A below.

Seriously, what else could she possibly be there for?

Given what I have personally observed and heard in this county the past seven-plus years, I find Eisinger's appearance -now- very curious and a little TOO coincidental.

Especially since under the rules the city operates under, no member of the public will ever get the chance to refute anything she says.

As I mentioned recently on my blog, the League is the same taxpayer-supported organization that claims to want increased transparency, yet have you seen their own website? http://www.browardleague.org/

It's Obfuscation & Platitude Central.

They NOT only DON'T publicly mention or acknowledge their well-known opposition to the stricter rules passed by the County to cover everyone, as I mentioned on the blog, they STILL haven't updated the (Action) Minutes of their Board of Directors since last September -TEN MONTHS ago.

http://www.browardleague.org/legislative/minutes-of-meetings/board-of-directors-meetings/

That's a long time to NOT post information they used to think was important, don't you think?

As anyone who has come to this blog even a few times knows, I long-supported the creation of a Broward Inspector General and now that it's in place, I want it ito be an enthusiastic and pro-active force for good against the longstanding hotbeds of corruption at city halls and agencies throughout the county that have been ignored for far too long.

I DON'T trust Debby Eisinger, the Broward League of Cities or their pals in the lobbyist ranks any more than I can throw them.

There should be one set of ethical rules for everyone in Broward County.

Period.

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REGULAR AGENDA (Supporting Docs)

CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

WEDNESDAY, JULY 06, 2011 10:00 AM

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (to be heard at 10:15 A.M.)

5. PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS

A. Presentation by Broward League of Cities President and Cooper City Mayor Debby Eisinger

TO BE HEARD AT 10:10 A.M.

B. Annual Presentation by the Marine Advisory Board (Presented by Sal Broccone, Vice-Chair) (See Backup) (Supporting Docs)

C. Annual Presentation by the Historic Preservation Board (Presented by William "Bill" Julian, Chair) (See Backup) (Supporting Docs)

D. Annual Presentation by the Planning and Zoning Board (Presented by Arnold Cooper, Chair) (See Backup) (Supporting Docs)

E. Annual Presentation by the Human Services Advisory Board (Presented by Lisa Colmenares, Vice Chair) (See Backup) (Supporting Docs)

F. Presentation Regarding Activities at the Villages at Gulfstream Park (Suzanne Friedman)

G. Recognition of Finalists in the Employee Division for the Inaugural 5K Police Athletic League (PAL) Run (Supporting Docs)

H. Recognition of Promotion of Division Chief Alex Baird to the Rank of Deputy Fire Chief (Supporting Docs)

I. Presentation of Florida Stormwater Association 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award - City of Hallandale Beach Stormwater Management Program (Staff Report)

6. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Draft Minutes - Regular City Commission Meeting of June 15, 2011 (Supporting Docs)

7. PUBLIC HEARINGS (to be heard at 10:30 A.M)

8. CITY BUSINESS

A. A Resolution of the City of Hallandale Beach, Florida, in Support of Reapplication for a Local Government Funding Request through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under the Beach Management Program Florida Long Range Budget Plan for Renourishment of Hallandale Beach Beaches from County Line to North City Limits.(Staff: Acting Director, Utilities & Engineering)(See Backup) CAD #035/97 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

B. Fiscal Year 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial and Compliance Reports - Strategic Plan of Action (Staff: Director of Finance) (See Backup) CAD#007/11 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

C. Discussion of the Procedure and Methodology for Hiring a City Attorney. (Mayor Joy F. Cooper)(See Backup) (Staff Report)

9. COMMISSIONER REPORTS

10. OTHER

11. PLANNING AND SCHEDULING MEETING (to be heard in Room 257)