City Council Chronicles

Michael McQuillen--Indianapolis, IN councilor--discusses his philosophy of voting early and decisively in meetings as opposed to dawdling. Plus, we talk about partisan rule changes and attempts to oust the council president. There is never a dull moment! Oh, and did I mention his perfect attendance award? City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/)

Allison Hiltz--Aurora, Colorado council member--discusses whether Aurora is in fact an "initiative-killing council." She explains her dissatisfaction with some sentiments expressed toward residents in council meetings and what happened when a group of Girl Scouts tried to propose an ordinance. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/)

Andrea Reimer--Vancouver, BC councilor--discusses why her council raises incredible numbers of points of order and whether it is disruptive. Plus, we talk about her quick thinking when she adjourned a meeting in the face of a fire and her mediation after a contentious council meeting. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/)

Dylan Bressey--Grande Prairie, AB councilor--maintains the gold standard of city councilor websites, writing about every aspect of his meetings and answering FAQs about how they work. We make a friendly bet, teach people how to present to the city council, and reveal his custom-made council gift. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/)

Khalid Bey--Syracuse, NY councilor--has several frustrations with how his council operates: from the private caucus meetings that are problematic for open meetings law; receiving agendas 24 hours before a meeting; and the inability of the public to see the behavior he sees in meetings. We talk about how to make some things better, and which problems aren't going away. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Constance - The Descent by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100850 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100850) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/)

Derek Silva--Middlesex Centre, ON councilor--is highly confident that his council will have video streamed meetings by the end of the year. We discuss the raging controversy over meeting start times, why many split votes go unrecorded, and about the infamous "DaleTV" studio in neighboring London. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Readers! Do You Read by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/reappear/ (http://chriszabriskie.com/reappear/) Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/ (http://chriszabriskie.com/) Running Waters Full Band by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/)

Vanessa Fleisch--Peachtree City, GA mayor--takes a field trip with me on her city's 100 miles of golf cart paths. We discuss her highly-detailed meeting minutes, the explosive council meetings under a controversial former mayor, and a perplexingly-long council oath. Cameos by past podcast guests San Jose, CA Council Member Lan Diep and Edinburgh, Scotland Councilor Susan Rae. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Mall Walker by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/) Plantation by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/) Lone Harvest by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100409 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100409) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Echoes of Time v2 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.

It is the biggest night of the year! Michael Karlik addresses Congress about the wild state of our city council meetings. There are updates on the upward movement of past guests and excerpts from the interviews of Esmeralda Soria, Jimmy Stathatos, Alberto Garcia, Lesley Alexander, and Jesse Kiehl. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet.

Elaine Hays--Amarillo, TX councilmember--and her four other colleagues were ALL first-timers when they took office in 2017. We cover all of the changes these fresh faces made to the meetings, including altering the seating chart and having the mayor assign homework. Plus, one public commenter who told the mayor he's in love with her! City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Ecstasy X by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/)

Colby Sledge--Nashville, TN councilman--has a whopping 39 other people on his metro council, so naturally we go nuts dissecting the procedural quirks of such a large body. Plus, what is "councilmanic courtesy?" And why are there no "councilwomen" in Nashville? We go over these unwritten council rules and many more. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Doh De Oh by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100255 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100255) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Boxcar Rag by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/)

Alberto Garcia--Westminster, CO former councilor--gets candid about the things that would grind his gears at council meetings. We talk about how surprisingly controversial garbage collection was, then relive a wild series of meetings prompted by a councilor's inflammatory comments. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/) Pendulum Waltz by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ (http://audionautix.com/) Folk Round by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100357 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100357) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Hackerland by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/292/hackerland (http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/292/hackerland) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org (http://www.twinmusicom.org/)

Jennifer Passey--Fairfax, VA councilmember--was elected three months ago and her council meetings have been pretty normal. EXCEPT for the guns in meetings issue. And EXCEPT for the vice mayor controversy. And EXCEPT for me grilling her about my childhood dog and high school crush. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/)

A special guest drops by to review the most festive city council moments of 2017. We hear about a recall in Missouri, witty repartee in New Zealand, scrutiny in London, "Hallelujah" in British Columbia, catchphrases in Alabama, and a coming-out story in Idaho. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweets. Music credits: Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/)

Esmeralda Soria--Fresno, CA councilmember--had to watch nearly four dozen impassioned citizens argue for or against displaying "In God We Trust" in the council chamber. She discusses whether that fight could have been avoided, and about the council member who instigated it. Plus, we talk gift-giving and animal adoption. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweets. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Bump in the Night - Supernatural Haunting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100789 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100789) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/)

Jesse Kiehl--Juneau, AK Assembly Member--is optimistic about getting cameras in his meetings next year. We talk about the styles of past mayors, the difference between the Assembly and the Alaska legislature, and a disturbing incident that happened mere feet from the council chamber. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 and 2017 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweets. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100187 (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100187) Artist: http://incompetech.com/ (http://incompetech.com/) Chance, Luck, Errors in Nature, Fate, Destruction As a Finale by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/reappear/ (http://chriszabriskie.com/reappear/) Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/ (http://chriszabriskie.com/)