Even while wasting a lot of time catering to the wishes of the producer of Art, Beats & Eats, CITCOM had a productive meeting, although with more split votes than usual. The discussions which led to the split votes were for the most part conducted politely, with only an unconscious facial expression or body language revealing the emotional tone. There were four split votes:
Peggy Goodwin voted No re granting Arts, Beats & Eats a Special Events Permit which included charging for selected parking meters.
Jim Rasor voted No re granting Conditional Rezoning on Woodward to allow the erection of a commercial storage facility on the blighted property where there used to be a hamburger joint.
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During some convoluted parliamentary activity, David Poulton voted No on the move to bring back to The Table a reconsideration of the agenda item about which Goodwin had voted No.
There was an unusual 4-3 split over waiving the charge of parking meters in the Farmers Market and Williams Street parking lots over some AB&E-related event. The No-voters were Poulton, Goodwin, and Rasor.
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The meeting minutes show unanimous approval over revising the AB&E Parking Station Ordinance, following a long discussion. I stopped watching a little after ten; the meeting adjourned at 10:41.
Every person at The Table was lively this night.
Mayor Jim Ellison came out of the closed meeting looking a bit grim, but mellowed by the time he had handled Public Comment, and was at his best in moderating the meeting, including friendly cutting off of wandering dialogue.
David Poulton served as Mayor Pro Tem once or twice during the evening and was more involved than usual in several of the discussions.
Jim Rasor quietly but vigorously voiced his pro or con position on the agenda items, without giving any lengthy speeches.
Peggy Goodwin came on more confidently than ever, giving evidence of having paid attention to a wide range of matters.
Kyle DuBuc spoke with vigor and humor, as he deserted his customary silent and somber demeanor.
Mike Fournier was almost an orator as he participated on almost every agenda item.
Carlo Ginotti displayed human warmth and professional acumen as he alternately joshed and pondered aloud. A former commissioner, now sitting in at Ellison's request to fill the last several months Pat Capello's term, Carlo has avoided the false subservience and the pomposity which others with his experience might have displayed in such a fill-in position.
