Thread by @freddieoconnell

Collaborative governance is always challenging. It’s even more challenging with a 40-member legislative body with limited staff capacity. And it’s especially challenging during a public health crisis.

So here’s some information about how it’s working right now.

As you look to #MetroCouncil for information about our local #COVID19 response, understand that we have been advised to submit all questions about the Metro response centrally through the Council office for review by the administration and #COVID19 task force.

So far, we have a once-weekly readout of selected responses in a 30-minute session with members of the #COVID19 task force and then separately receive written responses.

I haven't been able to attend some of these sessions, and some of my questions have only been answered there.

Tracking the responses comprehensively across these read-out sessions and the written responses we receive is challenging.

I understand that with 40 CMs, we want to avoid distracting the administration and public health officials.

That said, I also want to be providing the most accurate information as quickly as possible to my constituents and to business owners and operators in District 19 and generally be on the same page from the standpoint of Metro resources and regulations.

#MetroCouncil also has an oversight obligation, so it's important for us to understand the overall Metro response as thoroughly as possible.

Often, oversight, even in good faith, can seem adversarial. So I understand that some questions are probably frustrating.

I’m sure this will read as criticism to some. There’s no question that I would like more regular access to information more quickly. Otherwise, though, I’m just trying to present my experience.

There hasn’t been much public discussion of the world outside of the daily briefings, so I wanted to try to give some insight.

I’m hoping to work this weekend to try to provide as complete an accounting as I can of the #MetroCouncil Q&A related to our local #COVID19 response. I think this is an important chronicle of how we are responding as a city, and I hope it helps us think about ways to improve.

Ultimately, I want to make sure that we are doing our best to ensure public health and safety, that we provide as much relief as possible during a period of extreme economic duress, that we plan and adapt well, and that we provide the best information possible.

I’ll keep doing what I know to do these things. And I welcome your questions, comments, and political statements.