Last night’s council meeting was very productive, and a lot of fun for the council. While we accomplished much serious business, some confusion and miscues left all of us laughing….at one point so much so that Marcie Palmer was nearly in tears, and most of us had a difficult time uttering “aye” during a roll-call vote.
We all seemed to share equally in the goof-ups that lead to the laughter. Council President Toni Nelson was sitting in for Mayor Keolker, but Toni occasionally missed her cue when someone asked for the floor by stating “Madam Mayor.” When this happened, Toni would silently look at whoever was speaking for a few moments, and then suddenly remember that she was in-fact madam mayor. At which time she would laugh, and we would all laugh with her. Don Persson thought he would be helpful by referring to her as “Madam Toni,” which cracked us up even though it was a practical solution. We had a complicated docket of resolutions, ordinances for first reading and advancement to second reading the following week, ordinances for first reading and advancement to second reading last night, and ordinances that had been read before but required a second reading last night. At one point, I tried to help Toni with the order, only to realize I was giving her bad advice and mixing her up further, which led to another laugh. At one point, Toni called for a roll-call vote, and then proceeded to read the roll herself, a task that the clerk typically does. She made it though just fine, with nobody saying anything about it, but laughed out loud when I whispered a reminder to her that she could leave that to the clerk. After that, several members mixed up one another’s names, and made some other amusing comments. Once we were all laughing, the laughter itself made us laugh harder. When roll-call voting, I watched as one colleague after another struggled to say “aye” when their turn came up because the were laughing too hard for the words to come out. Since I was last, it was most difficult for me…it was not easy to compose myself enough to vote audibly.
Through all the laughter, we managed to get a lot of important business done, and we had a nice time doing it. We set the property tax rate for next year (1% increase over this year), we took some zoning actions, voted to maintain the current driveway width standards, selected next year’s president and president pro-tem, and took care of other miscellaneous items. For as long as I have known her, Toni Nelson has always done a nice job of managing council meetings. For the council members, and the audience in attendance, this meeting was a productive, nice, upbeat session after a difficult campaign season.
Council President and Council President Pro Tem
And because Randy is too modest to say so . . . congratulations on his appointment as Council President Pro Tem (and congratulations to Marcie Palmer, new Council President!!)!!!
Go team go!!
So is the airport commenter related to Dan? He told you to shut up too, Randy… “I’m talking here!”
Ya, that was pretty funny. I guess he didn’t know I was going to agree with him!
Congrats Randy. Will you run for Mayor of Renton some day or go straight to the top, Prez of the United States. Can’t wait for that blog.
Congrats Randy and Marcie P!
With the 1% property tax increase, it sounds like we should be thanking you all for not taking advantage of the State Supreme Court’s recent ruling that you could have gone for more?
Mixing politics and religion with the last comment.
Amen!
Raise Taxes More!
Use the proceeds to help get rid of the slum-lords in the Highlands and the few that remain in the Downtown core.
Renton would be so much better if we could get rid of the nasty slumlords and their nasty crime-ridden tennents.
Perhaps, for any new anixations, you could use the proceeds to flood them with police officers.
Wow, it sounds like y’all are already on a roll. Just the election outcome itself must’ve lifted everyone’s spirits. When does Denis take office?
Thank you Toni Nelson, the best council member this city has had, not afraid to back down, always honest, and the true face in the city of Renton. We will miss you.
I Agree . . .
Toni was/is a class act all the way. She will be missed.
Re: I Agree . . .
Love Toni dearly, we will miss her but she will always be involved in Rentons functions. We haven’t seen the last of her. She will still keep things going in Renton.
Re: I Agree . . .
I just wish she would have been mayor in her career and I hope Randy will write something great about her on here because she has been the most committed citizen in the ciry with or without being on the council