When we look at the variety of interesting topics included in upcoming Auburn City Council meetings, we can't help but be reminded of how shameful it is that the council's change to “summer hours” means that most members of the public won't be able to attend.

At the beginning of the 4 p.m. meeting today, the city will hold a public hearing on a proposal to remove the city's cap on sales tax for gasoline. (The city currently stops collecting tax at $2 per gallon).

There will also be a demonstration by the county Board of Elections of the new optical scan voting machines the county purchased for use in future elections. (The state mandates public presentations of the new machines).

And at the July 24 meeting, a representative from a company that sells trash packers that run on natural gas will be demonstrating how the machines work. (The city is considering buying two of them).

These are all interesting and important topics that residents should be involved with. Unfortunately, the timing of the meetings means that many people won't be able to attend.

Commuters, for instance, who have a lot at stake when it comes to the price of gas, can't be expected to attend a meeting at 4 p.m. on a Thursday.

At the very least, meeting agendas like these call for special meetings at 6 or 7 p.m. to give as many people as possible the opportunity to become informed and to become involved.

At worst, what we'll hear today is a member of the council use a lack of public participation at this oddly timed meeting as justification for a change in public policy. “Not too many people spoke up about the gas tax,” the theory might go. “So, people must not be concerned.”

We think plenty of people are interested in the topics of the upcoming city council meetings. It's just that not many of them will be able to get of work early enough to learn more about them.