SHORELINE— Council members voted to postpone a decision on Resolution 212, which would allow final action to be taken four times a month instead of two.
The council unanimously decided to discuss the proposal at the April 23 council retreat.
Resolution 212, as proposed, would allow the council to take final action at workshops and special meetings, instead of only at regular meetings.
Members of the public, as well as several council members, expressed concern with the resolution for a variety of reasons.
Cindy Ryu, a resident opposed to Resolution 212, feels it would reduce opportunities for citizens to address the council and would likewise limit opportunities for council members to seek public input.
Ryu pointed out that public comments are currently only allowed at the beginning of each regular meeting, but would not necessarily be allowed at special meetings if final action were to occur.
“Please take a look at the whole procedure, not just line by line, but the whole process— how it affects you as council members and us as the public,” Ryu said.
Ryu is also concerned that items not advertised in special meeting notices could be discussed during special meetings, under the changes, without any notification of the public.
The council currently holds workshops on the first and third Monday of each month and at these informal meetings, they review upcoming agenda items and programs or projects the city manager or council members feel should be discussed. With Resolution 212, final action could be taken as well.
Resolution 212 would also affect special meetings the council is entitled to hold, which are subject to notice requirements by state law. These meetings can be scheduled by the mayor, deputy mayor or any four council members by written notice delivered to the Council at least 24 hours before the time specified for the meeting. Resolution 212 would allow final action to be taken on items listed on the notice of the meeting, and discussion of items not on the notice could occur. However, there would not be any final action taken on subjects not specified in the notice.
According to city manager Steve Burkett, Resolution 212 is intended to allow final action to be taken four times a month, instead of two. This would help meet deadlines, he said, such as when the council needed to take immediate action on the Brightwater appeal. Burkett said this would be a small change to fix a big problem, but he is confident meetings can continue to operate without the revision.
Council woman Maggie Fimia expressed concern about items being discussed at special meetings without first being placed on the agenda. She said the council would have to require that items not be added to the agenda at special meetings for discussion.
“This process does not work for either party,” Fimia said. “The public does not have predictability.”
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