Commissioners keep meeting schedule after debate over fifth-Monday exceptions

Commissioners debated whether to maintain the court's practice of meeting on some fifth Mondays of the year and considered a motion to remove three proposed fifth-Monday dates from the 2025 calendar. The motion to strike specific dates (March, June and another fall date) was moved and seconded but later withdrawn after staff clarified that many departments preferred keeping the fifth Mondays to meet scheduling and posting deadlines.

Mr. Kim and Mr. Schaffner, administrative-services staff, told the court they had not consulted every department but said that, from the staff perspective, holding meetings on fifth Mondays helps meet posting deadlines and manage workload in weeks without holidays. Commissioners expressed mixed views: some said they valued the traditional practice of not meeting on fifth Mondays while others said they worked on other days and that staff did not get time off for fifth Mondays.

After additional clarification and a short recess to allow staff to confirm details, a motion to approve the meeting calendar as presented (agenda item I-1) was made, seconded and approved unanimously. The court recorded the vote on the calendar (as presented) as 5-0.

The court recorded the initial effort to remove dates as withdrawn after staff and commissioners discussed the rationale and preferred practices. Administrative Services will confirm and publish the approved calendar and posting schedule.

Votes at the meeting on this item: calendar approved as presented, 5-0.