El Dorado alters complaint process

EL DORADO -- The El Dorado City Council has adopted some changes to its operating rules for 2019.

The Mayor's Forum with the Audience -- which began during former Mayor Frank Hash's two successive terms, the second of which ended Dec. 31 -- had replaced the public comment period.

"We stopped people from coming before us. We stopped the path of the people we work for from getting to us," said Council Member Willie McGhee.

Under Hash's direction, the council established a process by which residents could lodge complaints with the city, starting with a complaint form n the mayor's office.

If complaints are not satisfactorily resolved by supervisors or the mayor, then the complainant can submit a written request to appear on the council's agenda.

McGhee said that he had received complaints from residents who said their requests to appear before the council were denied in the mayor's office.

He also said that council members often did not hear if the issue was resolved.

"I think that's where we were dropping the ball. We did not get a follow-up on the issue. I think it should be monitored better," McGhee said.

Participating in his first meeting as a new council member, Andre Rucks said he would like to keep abreast of issues in the ward he represents as well as issues from rthe city's other three wards.

"It's about the whole city. We represent the whole city," Rucks said.

Hammond suggested that council members who represent the ward in which complaints originate meet with the complainant along with the mayor during the post-council meeting forums.

The council also added an operating rule that prohibits elected city officials from using cellphones and other such electronic devices during council meetings.

El Dorado has a new, first- term mayor, Veronica Smith-Creer.

Metro on 01/13/2019

Upcoming Events