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Des Moines council debates protocol manual changes: second readings, meeting end times, remote attendance and communications rules
Summary
Council members debated a range of proposed amendments to the city council protocol manual—covering second readings for ordinances, meeting end times, remote attendance, social‑media disclaimers and expense limits—and provided staff direction on several items for inclusion in the next draft.
The Des Moines City Council Committee of the Whole spent a substantial portion of the June 5 session reviewing proposed amendments to the council protocol manual. Council members debated numerous items including whether to require second readings for some ordinances, how late meetings may run, remote attendance rules, language for communications initiated by council members, and limits on council spending for conferences and education.
Council Member Grace Matsui opened discussion by proposing to bring back Rule 26(a) — a requirement for a second reading of ordinance changes — in some form. "I believe that we should consider bringing back rule 26 a, the second reading of all ordinance changes," Matsui said, explaining the change as a transparency and public‑engagement measure so residents have more…
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