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Delano council approves agenda change after debate over meeting start time
Summary
After council discussion and public comment about presentations and public access, the Delano City Council voted in favor of item 19, a change to meeting scheduling, following debate about whether meetings should start at the top or quarter-hour.
The Delano City Council debated and then approved item 19 at its June 16 meeting, resolving a months-long discussion about meeting start times and how presentations affect the public’s ability to reach later agenda items.
Council members and members of the public discussed whether the council should start meetings at 5 p.m., 5:15 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. and whether presentations and awards cause substantial delays. Council members who supported the change said it was intended to make meetings “run more smoothly” and reduce the time audience members wait for specific agenda items. One participant suggested limiting presentation time and spreading presentations across meetings to avoid long waits.
A member of the public, Anthony Cortez, urged the council to place time limits on presentations and awards, suggesting the council adopt similar time-framing used for public comment. After discussion and public input, a motion to approve item 19 carried in a roll-call vote. Roll-call recorded votes were affirmative from Council member Rosodio, Council member Solorio Luis, Mayor Pro Tem Nunez and Mayor Morris; Council member Melinda Howe was absent. The transcript records the motion as approved by voice/roll call; the exact revised start time or any implementing ordinance text was not included in the public transcript excerpts.
The council did not provide the complete implementing language on the record at the meeting. Staff noted the item had produced "very vibrant discussion" and said the change reflected multiple arguments about improving meeting flow and better serving attendees who wait for later agenda items.
