Auburn city councilors and officials could be conducting their weekly business earlier than usual this summer.
But at least one member of council thinks that would make the city government less accessible to the public.
City council will vote Thursday on a resolution that would move the start time of its weekly business meetings to 4 p.m. between June 26 and August 28. Currently, city council meets at 6 p.m. four Thursdays a month in Auburn Memorial City Hall.
Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh said he added the resolution to the agenda on request from Mayor Michael Quill and the council.
Also on Thursday's agenda is a resolution to meet July 2 instead of July 3 because of holiday activities.
It is not unusual for municipalities to change meeting times during the summer, according to Councilor Thomas McNabb. In fact, the city of Auburn held its council meetings at 9 a.m. during the summer of 2005, he said.
“This gives people more of an opportunity to spend time with their families during the summer months,” McNabb said.
However, Councilor Matthew Smith said he is against moving the council meetings to an earlier time. Many Auburn residents get off work at 5 or 6 p.m. and would not be able to attend a meeting or speak at a public hearing that is held at 4 p.m. he said.
During Smith's first year on the council, the city moved the meetings from 5 to 6 p.m. The change was a compromise, as Smith wanted the meetings to be held at 7 p.m.
Sure, a 4 p.m. start would be easier for Smith, but it would not be accommodating for Auburn's citizens, he said.
“Government is not meant to be easier for those who are governing,” Smith said. “It should be easier for the constituent.”
But McNabb said he does not believe the new time will make the council less accessible to the public. The same handful of people tend to show up to the meetings every week, he said.
“We're never overcrowded at the meetings,” McNabb said. “If a civic organization has something on the agenda, more people show up. But basically, it is 10 to 12 people, and that's about it.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
City council will vote Thursday on a resolution that would move the start time of its weekly business meetings to 4 p.m. between June 26 and August 28. Currently, city council meets at 6 p.m. four Thursdays a month in Auburn Memorial City Hall.
Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh said he added the resolution to the agenda on request from Mayor Michael Quill and the council.
Also on Thursday's agenda is a resolution to meet July 2 instead of July 3 because of holiday activities.
It is not unusual for municipalities to change meeting times during the summer, according to Councilor Thomas McNabb. In fact, the city of Auburn held its council meetings at 9 a.m. during the summer of 2005, he said.
“This gives people more of an opportunity to spend time with their families during the summer months,” McNabb said.
However, Councilor Matthew Smith said he is against moving the council meetings to an earlier time. Many Auburn residents get off work at 5 or 6 p.m. and would not be able to attend a meeting or speak at a public hearing that is held at 4 p.m. he said.
During Smith's first year on the council, the city moved the meetings from 5 to 6 p.m. The change was a compromise, as Smith wanted the meetings to be held at 7 p.m.
Sure, a 4 p.m. start would be easier for Smith, but it would not be accommodating for Auburn's citizens, he said.
“Government is not meant to be easier for those who are governing,” Smith said. “It should be easier for the constituent.”
But McNabb said he does not believe the new time will make the council less accessible to the public. The same handful of people tend to show up to the meetings every week, he said.
“We're never overcrowded at the meetings,” McNabb said. “If a civic organization has something on the agenda, more people show up. But basically, it is 10 to 12 people, and that's about it.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
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