6.5. SR 1-08-1996ity of
ITEM 6.5.
iver
MEMORANDUM
Mayor & City Council
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Pat Klaers, City Admi4i}istrator
January 8, 1996
City Council Policy on Public Hearing
Times
When the City Council changed the regular meeting time for Council
meetings from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Council directed staffto continue to have
open mike at 7 p.m. and to have public hearings at or after 7 p.m. This was
requested based on the general feeling that some citizens do not work in the
city and may have a difficult attending a public hearing that begins before 7
p.m.
Not having any public hearings scheduled between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. is
typically no problem as we have other city business that can be discussed.
However, there are some meetings where we have a difficult time filling up
this one hour time slot. Also, there are times when everyone would just as
soon have the meeting end as quickly as possible so that the balance of the
evening can be flee.
It is suggested that the City Council change its policy on the timing of public
hearings. It is appropriate to call all public hearings for the beginning of the
City Council meeting. We would attempt to have the public hearings
actually held after 7 p.m., but, if all of the public hearing notices stated 6
p.m., the city would be covered by law and the Council would have the
flexibility of holding a public hearing before 7 p.m. The order of business for
Council meetings would not change, but if we publish the public hearing time
to coincide with the time of the City Council meeting, we will technically be
covered in all cases, regardless of when the City Council wants to open a
public hearing on an issue.
Requested Action
It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to schedule all public
hearings to coincide with the beginning time of the City Council meetings.
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