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Board to continue Friday work sessions after trial; staff to refine timing and scope
Summary
After a months‑long trial, the Pueblo West board agreed to continue pre‑meeting Friday work sessions that aim to clarify agenda items and reduce Monday meeting length. Directors praised the sessions for improving discussion but asked staff to explore ways to reduce staff preparation burden and avoid creating additional meetings.
The Pueblo West Metropolitan District Board of Directors agreed to keep a trial program of Friday morning work sessions designed to let directors discuss upcoming agenda items and bring questions to staff before the regular Monday meeting.
District Manager Christian J. Hein summarized the trial: the sessions, held most Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon prior to the Monday board meeting, were instituted to let directors ask questions, review packet materials and reduce the time needed for formal Monday meetings. “We introduced a couple different options… the board elected to approve a trial session for a work session to take place the Friday before each regular board meeting,” Hein said.
Directors said the sessions helped them prepare and were especially useful to newer members. Several directors said the Friday discussions led to shorter Monday meetings when staff could answer technical questions beforehand. But directors and staff also warned of downsides: increased staff time to prepare packets earlier in the week and the risk that the district could effectively add more meeting hours per month if the sessions were not carefully limited.
Board members asked staff to explore variations to the format that would preserve the benefits—improved preparedness and more efficient Monday meetings—while limiting staff overtime and avoiding duplication. Options discussed included keeping work sessions but reducing staff presence to only deputies or the district manager when technical presentations are not required, and reconsidering meeting frequency when agendas are light.
The board gave general direction to continue the work‑session trial, refine the format, and revisit the approach with the incoming board members after the election. Staff said they will study ways to minimize packet preparation burdens and return recommendations.
