Below is the city council's answer to T. Landreau's letter emphasizing the ease with which the council sidetracked making the resolution refuting the Patriot Act an agenda item. In my humble opinion, the council keeps batting this aside since its a political poison dart for them. In other words they are acting in their own interests, rather than doing what is good for the people. But, please make up your own minds about how to feel about this action by the city council.

Office of the Mayor
129 North Second Street
City hall, Yakima, WA 98901
Phone (509) 575-6050 • Fax (509) 576-6335


April 22, 2004

Mr. Tony Landreau, Ph.D
1103 South 32nd Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902

Dear Mr. Landreau:

In your April 19, 2004 letter you asked for information on how an issue is placed on the City Council Agenda. There is no written policy to provide you. Normally, items concerning the conduct of the City are automatically put on the agenda for Council action; however, matters that are the concern of an outside interest group are handled differently.

When your representative called to request this item be placed on the agenda, he was advised that the issue could be brought to the Council’s attention under Audience Participation. At that time, it would be Council’s decision to request staff to obtain additional information and/or to consider it at a future meeting. At the January 20, 2004 Council meeting five citizens addressed the Council concerning the Patriot Act. After listening to the citizens and discussion by the Council, a motion to place this issue on the Council agenda failed to pass.

On March 16, 2004, your group’s representative appeared before the Council under Audience Participation, to request Council to consider a revised resolution concerning the Patriot Act. Once again, the City Council listened, and a motion to place this issue on the Council agenda failed to pass.

You referenced the apparent ease of the school levy issue being placed on the Council Agenda. The School District is another governmental entity and was provided time on the agenda as a matter of intergovernmental courtesy.

We disagree with the comments in your letter intimating that the City Council did not allow discussion and debate on this issue. The Council heard your requests, sought additional information from staff, and made a decision. The City Council meets to conduct the business of the City and the meeting is not intended to be a forum for special interest groups.

We hope you understand our position and suggest that you focus your efforts on addressing federal legislators who may have influence to amend the Patriot Act.

Sincerely,

(signed) (signed)
Paul P. George Dick Zais
Mayor City Manager

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