Working as a City Council member means a lot of meetings, a lot of paperwork and little pay.

It’s hard to say how well council members, who are paid $6,250 a year, do with the paperwork.

But when it comes to meetings, council members have a good attendance record – one’s even perfect.

Since six new council members took office in April 2011, the nine-member council has had 74 formal and informal council meetings and 16 meetings as the Utilities Board.

At those meetings, council members make policy and financial decisions that affect the lives — and pocketbooks — of Colorado Springs taxpayers and ratepayers.

Attendance is “so important, particularly during budget time so that we’re all on the same page and we’re all getting the same information,” said council President Pro Tem Jan Martin, who has had two absences since April 2011.

“It’s really difficult when you have to make decisions and one person got information that another didn’t because one attended the meeting and the other didn’t,” she said. “It’s really important that we all to get the same information and where that occurs is at our official meetings.”

According to the minutes, attendance among council members ranges from perfect to 87 percent.

Council President Scott Hente, the only council member with perfect attendance since April 2011, said he made an effort not to miss any meetings since he became president.

“I have moved vacations around. I have moved time with my family around. Both my wife and I understood that there was a certain level of responsibility that went with that position,” he said.

City Councilwomen Lisa Czelatdko and Angela Dougan both had 12 absences, more than any of their colleagues.

“I’m comfortable with my attendance record,” said Czelatdko, adding that she serves on other boards and commissions and averages 20 meetings a week.

“There’s been days where I’ve had six or seven meetings,” she said.

Dougan said the only time she’s missed meetings is when either she or a member of her family has been sick or in the hospital. She also missed at least two meetings to attend an out-of-town conference.

“When I’m sick, I’m not going to go,” she said. “When my kids are in the hospital, I’m not going to go if I can’t have someone sitting next to them. If they’re puking and throwing up, I’m a mom first and will always be a mom.”

Dougan has been tardy six times, more than any of her colleagues, though Czelatdko is a close second with five. Dougan said she’s been late to meetings only by a few minutes.

The minutes only reflect when a council member is late, not by how many minutes.

ATTENDANCE

The City Council has had 74 formal and informal meetings and 16 Utility Board meeting since April 2011.

Council President Scott Hente: 0 absencesCouncil President Pro Tem Jan Martin: 2 absencesCouncilman Merv Bennett: 7 absencesCouncilwoman Lisa Czelatdko: 12 absencesCouncilwoman Angela Dougan: 12 absencesCouncilman Bernie Herpin: 4 absencesCouncilman Tim Leigh: 10 absencesCouncilman Val Snider: 1 absenceCouncilwoman Brandy Williams: 4 absences

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Contact Daniel Chacón: 476-1623

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Bob Crouse’s supporters were outside the courthouse when his acquittal came on June 30. Photo by Courtesy of Audrey Hatfield