Politics & Government

Moritz Wants Faster Arnold City Hall Responses to Residents' Questions.

Speaker cards, submitted when people ask the Arnold City Council about recent developments, should be used to update residents, the councilman says.

Ward 2 Councilman Bill Moritz wants Arnold to respond, in a timely manner, to questions and requests made by residents during city council meetings.

Residents can speak for three minutes—at the beginning of a meeting—prior to the council’s vote on ordinances, resolutions and motions. Speakers must fill-out a card and submit it to City Clerk Diane Waller prior to speaking to the council.

In the past, council members gave no response to speakers during the meeting. It was an opportunity for residents to speak freely and without interruption to the council.

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Moritz raised the issue after a few people asked about projects on Keywest Drive and at the intersection of Arnold Tenbrook and Telegraph roads during the City Council meeting on July 19 at City Hall.

The residents, who said they are affected by the projects, have received no updates and decided to ask their questions during the city council meeting.

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Mayor Ron Counts said, to Moritz in the meeting’s final minutes, that he delayed a response to a few residents about the projects due to a lack of information.

“The purpose of the speaker cards was to reply to residents’ requests for information,” Moritz said.

Residents should at least be informed if city employees are still researching an issue to provide a complete response, Moritz said.

Arnold Police Chief Robert Shockey, who is responsible for replying to residents questions, said, “Please bear with me.”

Shockey became Arnold’s Interim City Administrator after Matt Unrein resigned for personal reasons in June.


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