Will NCCC Approving Over $100K For This Service Tonight When Newark's Costs Almost Nothing?

Reposted from the Delaware Way blog - Newark Pays Almost Nothing For Live Broadcasting And Archiving Meetings. Why Is NCCC Approving Over $100K For This Service Tonight?

                

As New Castle County Council is definitely going forward tonight with a veto override to reinstate their aide's pay raises (see chart below), I have asked that they at least try to keep Council expenditures under control by rejecting the three contracts on agenda today for  live-broadcasting and archiving their meetings and revisiting how to implement their goal.

Check it out HERE for yourself: R20-056; R20-057; and R20-058.

The City of Newark tells me they paid NOTHING for their live-broadcast and archive set up as they had sought and received a $30K plus grant of which over $20K remains (details in my email to council posted below.)

There is simply no justification for our county council to move forward with contracts for over $100K for this service. At that price, I have dubbed this their vanity project.

Here is the email I sent to Council today, delivered under my Civic League for New Castle County President hat.

From Nancy Willing

To:Dave Carter,Nancy Willing,The Civic League for New Castle County
Cc:George Smiley,Dee Durham,Jea Street,David Tackett,Kenneth Woods,Penrose Hollins,Karen Hartley-Nagle,Timothy Sheldon,Janet Kilpatrick,John Cartier,James Bell,Elisa Diller,Nellie Hill,jgravell@newark.de.gov,B. Shotwell

Hi Dave,  

I have been very concerned about the cost to New Castle County residents RE: your plans for implementing Live Broadcast and Archive of council meetings. I had asked you several times if you had looked at how other municipalities and counties were conducting their broadcast and archiving of meetings. I specifically referenced Newark which I knew to be an installed camera which staff turned on and off and a contracted video service platform to live broadcast which was then archived. 

At the February CLNCC meeting you insisted that you had checked and that your numbers were in line with what was being done elsewhere for this service. That conversation is on our audio recording if you wished to refresh your memory, CLNCC Secretary Barry Shotwell can make a CD available to you. 

I obtained some information yesterday from the City of Newark's Communication Dept. via Jamie Gravell. She said Newark wrote a grant and in 2018 or so, was awarded around $31,500 thousand for live-broadcasting set up, training and related expenses. A camera was purchased and installed in the back of the room but later was determined to be too far from members and relocated. The background murals were also relocated to the back of the chamber to provide improved visibility. City residents are very happy with this arrangement.
From these grant funds, Newark had paid for the equipment, training, and installation. Gravell didn't think their platform was expensive (I guessed it to be a few hundred dollars a year) as they conduct the broadcasting through Vimeo. Newark still has well over $20 in reserve from their original grant and will apply it down the road for replacement cameras, etc.. 

Still using the grant, the city recently re-installed the camera in a side angle and added a complimentary camera on the other side of the chamber and out-fitted a second floor room with editing equipment for future use of the material in PDAs etc.. 

I sincerely wish that you would have discovered exactly how much of county tax dollars you could have saved if you had investigated the City of Newark expenditures as recommended. 

I remain shocked at the dollar figures I am seeing in the contracts before council this evening as it amounts to well over $100 thousand dollars in the first year. I would hope council would reject the three contracts on the agenda for today's Finance Committee and Council meeting as this massive outlay cannot be justified. 

Council is poised to override a veto of council pay tonight at what appears to be an extraordinary expense. 

Does Council really want to pile on with an extraordinarily expensive outlay for broadcasting and archiving? 

I hope some tax payer consideration is kept in mind tonight and a different avenue for implementing this service is pursued. 

Nancy
Nancy Willing, President, CLNCC  302-294-1939 

I have copied Ms. Gravell here and Mr. Shotwell in case someone would like to speak directly with them regarding the subjects at hand.

Additional news items:

• Updated: NCC Council Posts March 3rd For March 10, 2020 Meeting Agenda Without Providing Links To Their Costly Live Broadcasting Contracts
• Veto showdown | Kilpatrick believes pay raises for New Castle County Council employees could withstand legal challenge 
• Classified vs Unclassified Employees: Definition 
• Despite Meyer's veto, New Castle County legislative aides expected to see big raises 
• Expert does not see separation of power issue in New Castle County Council staff pay conflict 
• 'A bad use of the public trust': Meyer vetoes proposed pay hike for New Castle County Council staffers; council poised to override him 
• County Executive Matt Meyer Vetos NCCo Council Staff Pay Raises

Support NCC Ord. 19-120 And A More Transparent Land Use Process for New Castle County Government

(Ken Garver image)

(DelCOG) John Flaherty writes ~ Let me know what you think about the proposed New Castle County Council Ordinance 19-120; 
Email Flaherty at jdf000000@gmail.com and ask to add your name to this support letter !

New Castle County Councilperson David Carter is planning on advocating for a proposed New Castle County Ordinance that deals with government transparency and openness 

CLNCC Monthly Meeting - Are You Ready For A DE Inspector General? - 7PM Tuesday, October 15th In Christiana

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7:00 - 9:00 pm Tuesday, October 15th

Christiana Presbyterian Church

15 N. Old Baltimore Pike, Christiana, DE 19702

If you've ever thought that Delawareans need an independent Inspector General to look after the citizen's interests, DelCOG has been working on developing new legislation to this end. 

DelCOG President, Nick Wasileski, will be giving a power point presentation about it at the Civic League meeting on Tuesday night.

And starting in October, the CLNCC will be engaged in discussion and voting on a variety of state legislative initiatives for the purpose of lobbying during the last year of the 150th General Assembly. 

Members are encouraged to bring bills to our attention by attending League meetings or writing to Nancy Willing at president@civicleagueforncc.org.

CLNCC Monthly Meeting Set For 7PM Tuesday, November 21st In Christiana

CLNCC Meeting

Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 
Time:   7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Christiana Presbyterian Church
15 North Old Baltimore Pike
Christiana, DE 19702 

Agenda 

•  John Morgan, DelCOG advocacy efforts 

•  Civic League Participation in Coastal Zone Modification “Stakeholder Interview” 

•  Change Campaign with Network DE on including impacted communities in the stakeholder process Update on Lead Paint Sandblasting Regulations- Sign On Letter, Sarah Bucic 

•  Update on Boxwood Plant- Environmental Issues and Site Plans 

• - County LOS Presentation Takeaways 

Click here to view

CLNCC County Comments

Click here to

Become a CLNCC Member  

Community Forum on the TPP/Fast Track Set For 7PM March 18th At Kirkwood Public lLibrary

Delaware Americans for Democratic Action

Community Forum on the TPP/Fast Track

Monday, May 18th at 7pm

Kirkwood Library 

(6000 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808)

There has been increasing public interest in Delaware on the issue of Fast Track and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

At this community forum, Delawareans can learn more about this issue, share their thoughts and questions, and learn what they can do about it.

County Executive Thomas Gordon will open the forum.

We also have a panel discussion, represented by faith, labor, and good government groups.

Co-sponsors include: Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG), Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) of Delaware, and Pacem in Terris

To RSVP just click here or email Drew Serres at Drew@DelawareADA.org 

--

Drew Serres

Delaware Americans for Democratic Action 

Mobile: 503-507-9135 

Email: drew@delawareada.org 

Website: delawareada.org/
 

CLNCC To Co-Sponsor DelCOG's 2014 Elected Officials Reception 5:30PM December 1st In Wilmington

Update: yes, it is confirmed that all are welcome Monday night - no prior RSVP will be necessary so come on out!

The Civic League for New Castle County will be a co-sponsor of this year's event! RSVP is due today but I'm sure people will still be welcome at the door. I am checking with John Flaherty on that today.

Delaware Coalition for Open Government

invites you to attend the . . .

2014 Elected Officials Reception

Ed Oliver Golf Club

800 North DuPont Road

Wilmington, Delaware

Monday, December 1, 2014

5:30 – 8 p.m.

Open to the public

Hors d’oeuvres  ~  Cash bar

Nominal charge: $3.00 at the door

All State, County and Municipal officials will be invited

 to attend this “meet and greet” with the public. 

If you wish to attend this years event, please let us know by November 20 

at jdf0000@aol.com   Thank you

Keeping government accessible . . . and accountable

www.DelCOG.org

The Politics of Free Speech: FOIA & Open Government in Delaware Panel Discussion In Lieu Of The CLNCC March Meeting

Reminder

March Newsletter HERE

The Civic League for New Castle County March monthly meeting is joined tonight with the

 Delaware Press Association and Delaware Coalition for Open Government 

The Politics of Free Speech: FOIA and Open Government in Delaware? 

During Sunshine Week each year we focus on the fight for open government. This fight is not easy; it has gone on for more than a thousand years. But unless citizens remain vigilant and are willing to take a stand for their "right to know," it all too easily can come to an end.

Join members of the Delaware Press Association and the Delaware Coalition for Open Government at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, to hear our distinguished panelists discuss the politics of open government, free speech, and government accountability in Delaware.

Welcome: DPA President, Mark Fowser

Opening Remarks: DelCOG President, John Flaherty

THE PANEL

Moderator

Chris Carl, Director of News and Programming, WDEL 1150-AM

Panelists

The Hon. Greg Lavelle, Delaware State Senator and Minority Whip (R-Sharpley)

The Hon. John Kowalko, Delaware State Representative (D-Newark South)

Jason Staib, Deputy Attorney General, State of Delaware

Jon Starkey, Government and Politics Reporter, The News Journal

Patrick Sweet, Data Journalist, The News Journal (on Tumblr at patmsweet.com)

In this public conversation about exercising our "right to know" – a cornerstone of democracy – the panelists will explore topics such as:  

• What is the state of open government in Delaware?
• How well does the Freedom of Information Act work in the First State?
• What tools do we need to effectively fight for government accountability and for better protection for working journalists? 

We like to say that we have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. What are the consequences of having a government that is not open to the people?

RSVP closed March 16
Widener University School of Law
Ruby Vale Moot Court Room
4601 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE
 

The Civic League Is A Proud Sponsor Of DECOG's Elected Officials' Reception Set For 5:30PM Wednesday In Wilmington

Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s

Third Reception For Delaware Elected Officials
Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Dear Friend:

Just a reminder, you are invited to attend The Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s Third Reception for Delaware Elected Officials on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, at the Ed Oliver Golf  Course Restaurant, 800 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. 

All State, County and Municipal officials have been invited to attend this “meet and greet” reception.

There is a $3 admission fee for the public, taken at the door. The reception is an opportunity for you and your friends to discuss with Delaware elected officials issues which are of concern to you today.

*cash bar

The following groups and individuals are co-sponsoring the event, to date:

Charles Brittingham, NAACP; Center for the Inland Bays, Civic League for New Castle County; Bill Cortes;  Bonnie Corwin; Delaware Coalition for Open Government; Delaware Council for Gambling Problems; Delaware Medal of Honor Historical  Association; Delaware Nature Society; Elisa Diller; Harvey Clark Greisman; John Kowalko; Michael Kozikowski; Sandra LaBlanche; League of Women Voters of Delaware;  League of Women Voters of New Castle County Libertarian Party of Delaware; Bayard Marin; David McBride; Ed Osborne; Pacem in Terris; Karen Peterson; Charles Potter; Progressive Democrats for Delaware; Ann Rydgren; Sierra Club; Dave Tackett; Loretta Walsh; WDEL Radio

Sincerely,
John Flaherty, President,
Delaware Coalition for Open Government 
P.O. Box 493
Montchanin, DE 19710-0493


RSVP. Call 302-319-1213 or email jdf0000@aol.com if you wish to attend the event.

                                                                                                                             
Ed Oliver Golf Course Restaurant. 302-571-9041, 800 North Dupont Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807. (1/2 mi. west of Lancaster Ave. 7/10 mi. east of Kennett Pike).

The Delaware Coalition for Open Government, an affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC), is an alliance of journalists, lawyers, business owners, news organizations, elected officials, government employees, civic associations and individuals dedicated to the free flow of public information, which strengthens and energizes a democracy and keeps the process of government truthful and vigorous.

Ask Your Senate And House Members To Resolve To Mandate An Open, Public Redistricting Process To Shape Senate And House Districts

If you read Chad Livengood's article this morning [Redistricting to shift political power ] and thought that the redrawing of legislative districts should be a process open to public view, you weren't alone. Be an empowered citizen and ask your state officials to take the lead on an open and transparent redistricting!

Mandate An Open, Public Redistricting Process To Shape Senate And House Districts - As noted in a January DelCOG-CLNCC press release:
Equal population is required in legislative districts by the U.S. Constitution. Equal elections are also required by the Delaware Constitution. "When such fundamental fairness is the goal of a legislative act, it is important that the citizens feel included." said Frank Sims of the Civic League. "This promotes greater participation in democracy and less alienation in society in general".

[A]s population centers have shifted to the South, many northern voters will be really distressed if they find two members who are very popular winding up in the same district. Being able to participate in the process will give them confidence that it was done fairly.....Districts have to be balanced also by race, political party and ethnicity as much as possible.

This presents a real challenge for the Democratic Party the first time they have controlled the entire process to do it openly.....but it will benefit them to show the public they are committed to good government. Fortunately, the New Castle County Council tried it last time and found no problems in doing so.

Tell your representation that you want to be included. Ask if they will resolve to support an open, public redistricting process!

Click here to find your Legislator (must be registered to vote)

COMPLETE LISTING OF DELAWARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

The Redistricting Working Group of The Civic League for New Castle County and DelCOG Draft Resolutions for the House and for the Senate:
A RESOLUTION TO MANDATE AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT REDISTRICTING PROCESS WITH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

WHEREAS, the citizens of Delaware are entitled to comment on the redrawing of Legislative district lines as the process unfolds; and

WHEREAS, the migration of more people to the south compared to older residential patterns in this State will require the shifting of more than a few Census Tracts from within their current Representative and Senatorial districts lines to others; and

WHEREAS, not only Legislators, but their constituents, also have strong feelings about the geographic cohesiveness and the partisan balance of districts; and

WHEREAS, citizens should be able to recommend Redistricting Plans for the House and Senate they feel will represent the public interest;

NOW, THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE/HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT the 2010 Redistricting process for the Delaware SENATE/House of Representatives shall be open and transparent;

THAT all drawing of lines or grouping of Census Tracts to produce new Representative Districts shall take place in a public forum with the public being notified no less than 8 days in advance;

THAT Census data for Delaware and the computer program used by the General Assembly shall be available for a reasonable fee to any member of the public who wishes to purchase a copy from the Legislative Council;

THAT opportunities shall be provided for proponents of plans to present them in public to the House and/or the committees or persons charged with the task of Redistricting the House; and

THAT the final plan or plans to be voted on by the House shall be a product of this public process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislators believe the public can fairly weigh all information that should go into considering how Census Tracts should be grouped and while they may be likely to favor people from their area, they will also be motivated to preserve fundamental fairness for all future candidates.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the objective of redistricting, as established by the United States and Delaware Constitutions, is to make elections equal, and this shall be the goal that drives the process--numerical equality in persons represented per district, along with equality of opportunity for anyone to be elected in districts balanced by party, race and ethnicity.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING

  The New Castle County Council Executive Committee meeting scheduled for this Tuesday, February 22, 2011 has several several critical issues on it that impact all county residents.   These issue address the underhanded action by Council to sneak the controversial removal of the dead restrictions for the Governor's Square project without public discussion or input, an effort to improve transparency by web streaming of public meetings, and a resolution urging council to follow the spirit of their own rules.  

 

     The specific agenda items include: 

    Agenda Item 4.  The deed restriction was underhandedly removed as part of the consent calendar without even naming the project.    If you are not familiar with this issue, please check the News Journal Article Links at:

Only the Public was hurt by Councils Hidden Vote (Click Here)

Councilman Smiley Deceived his Colleagues and Constituents (Click Here)

     Agenda Item 5.  There is an effort to start exploration of Internet streaming of council meeting, providing access to the public to keep track of what they are doing.  This would help us ensure accountability, which is currently lacking.

     Agenda Item 6.  There is an resolution urging council to follow the rules and not sneak things through with listing the name such as was done for Governors Square.

      All three of these items are good government actions, but they will likely be opposed by many on council. 

      If we want to help urge and ethical, honest, and accountable County Government, we need to show support to  those council members courageous enough to push for these improvements.

      IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING, SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT OF THIS ACTIONS, AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND GOOD GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES BY NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

      A detailed agenda can be found at the link below: 
   

NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING

Councilman Smiley deceived his colleagues, constituents

The editorial below appeared in the News Journal on February 16,2011.   Great read and a call to action for all civic minded people in New Castle County, Delaware.


 _______________________________________________________________________________________

A consent calendar means an agreement exists among the members that no one will put anything on it that needs debate. The purpose of it is to relieve a busy council from the necessity of reading everything.

Our council serves part time. By putting a resolution on it that did need debate, Councilman George Smiley deceived his colleagues and hundreds of his constituents for the benefit of a developer.

If Smiley was acting in his role as a committee chairman, he was ethically obligated to see that legislation assigned to his committee was handled properly. He has been dishonorable and he should be censured for his conduct.
But the council does not have to live with this mistake. Unlawfully enacted legislation does not become law.
The vote on lifting a deed restriction is a discretionary vote; therefore, it must be preceded by a fact-finding hearing. First error.

The citizens are entitled to testify regarding the lifting of a deed restriction to which they are essentially a party. It was a violation of their due process rights not to allow that, hence the resolution is unconstitutional. Second error.

Resolutions govern only the internal matters of a legislative body. State law specifically requires that anything done by County Council that has the force and effect of law must be done by ordinance. Third error.

Enough of the council did not cast a knowing vote – instead one based on fraud – therefore the vote was not legitimate. Fourth error.

The resolution is void ab initio. The council president can declare it that and require the sponsor to have it redrafted as an ordinance and reintroduced.

This is a test. Do we have a government of laws or not?

Christine Whitehead, Mill Creek

New Castle County Government FOIA And Ethics Are Topics For Tomorrow's DECOG Meeting In Wilmington

Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG)Board of Directors meeting
February 14, 2011 - 12:00 p.m.Woodlawn Library, Wilmington
Agenda
12:00 - 12:05 I. Welcome - John Flaherty
12:05 - 12:10 2) Approval of Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2010
12:10 - 12:15 3) Treasurer’s Report - Bill Pearson
12:15 - 12:20 4) By-Law Review and Disposition of Absent Board members
12:20 - 12:45 5) New Delaware state web site highlights social media - Bill Pearson
12: 45 - 12:50 6) New Castle County FOIA Issues - Coralie Pryde
12:50 - 12:55 7) New Castle County Ethics Issues - Chris Whitehead
12:55 - 1:00 8) Open Court Testimony - Bonnie Corwin
1:00 - 1:05 9) Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed affiliation
1:05 - 1:10 10) Public testimony

Plus, Vic Singer is on the agenda for the NCC Council's Land Use Committee meeting on Tuesday at 3PM to discuss FOIA as well. This meeting is on the 8th floor conference room in the City/County Building at 800 French Street in Wilmington.

John Flaherty Sends Along Good News From The State House - Unanimous Passage Of The FOIA Bill!

BENNETT FOIA BILL UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HOUSE
HB 5 sets deadline for governments to respond to requests
DOVER – Legislation setting a deadline for government entities and other public bodies to respond to a Freedom of Information request unanimously passed the House Tuesday.
Under House Bill 5, sponsored by Rep. E. Bradford “Brad” Bennett, any FOIA request for a public record must be granted within 15 business days from the receipt of the request. However, the public entity can extend that deadline if the request is for “voluminous records, requires legal advice” or if the record is in storage. In those situations, the agency or entity must inform the person making the request within 15 business days of the need for additional time.
Currently, state law does not include any time limit for public bodies to respond to or fulfill FOIA requests.
“A request can sit for months without a response,” said Rep. Bennett, D-Dover South. “Public information should be readily accessible to any citizen, and any person who makes a FOIA request for public records deserves a prompt response. This bill further improves the FOIA legislation passed last session. It makes us a more transparent and open state. By adding these provisions, we will go from being one of the least transparent states to one of the more transparent.”
HB 5 is similar to legislation that passed the House last session, with a couple small changes. Rep. Bennett said he extended the deadline – it was 10 business days in the previous measure – after hearing some concerns raised last session.

DelCOG's Elected Officials Reception Is Set For 6PM December 9th In Wilmington

DelCOG - Delaware Coalition for Open Government DelCOG is hosting a reception for Delaware's elected officials. Open to the Public. Come meet the people who are representing you.$3 at the Door. (Proceeds will help offset the cost of the reception.)

Elected Officials Reception
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 6:00pm
Ed "Porky" Oliver Golf Club, 800 North Dupont Road, Wilmington

(Click on the link above to RSVP)

The Civic League For New Castle County is a co-sponsor of this event.

Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG) To Meet 12PM Nov. 8th At The Woodlawn Library In Wilmington

You are invited to the next meeting of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG)Board of Directors November 8, 2010, 12:00 p.m., Woodlawn Library, 8th and Bancroft Parkway,Wilmington, DE

Below is a draft agenda for the meeting.

Thanks, John Flaherty, President, Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG)

302-319-1213

==============================================================================================
Agenda

12:00 - 12:05 I. Welcome - John Flaherty

12:05 - 12:10 2) Approval of Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2010

12:10 - 12:15 3) Treasurer’s Report - Bill Pearson

12:15 - 12:45 4) ‘Delawarespends’Presentation - Shaun Fink, Caesar Rodney Inst.According to the Caesar Rodney Institute, a non-partisan and non-profit research and educational institute, DelawareSpends.com gives taxpayers an unbiased look at raw spending data, provided directly by official government sources. It is designed to be a tool to research, analyze, compare and share government spending data.

12:45 - 12:50 5) Elected Officials Reception - John Flaherty

12:50 - 12:55 6) Judicial Fairness Report - Christine Whitehead

12:55 - 1:00 7) "Fusion Video Email" - Nancy Lopez

1:00 - 1:05 8) DelCOG Facebook - Cynthia Smith

1:05 - 1:10 9) Sunshine Week 2011 - Bill Pearson

1:10 - 1:15 10) Strategic Plan, Mission Statement - Katherine Ward

1:15 - 1:20 11) Common Cause lobbyist reform effort - Flaherty

1:20 - 1:25 12) Televising Supreme Court arguments letter sign-on - Pearson

1:25 - 1:30 13) Newark Housing Authority Appointment Process - Amy Rowe

1:30 - 1:35 14) Upcoming FOIA efforts

1:35 -2:00 15) Public comment