6.5. SR 1-08-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ity 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. 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425