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Beloit council adopts ordinance moving regular meetings to 6 p.m., adds short‑notice justification
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance 38‑80 to set regular council meetings at 6 p.m. and add language requiring special‑meeting notices to explain why short notice is necessary; the change drew concern about accessibility from one councilor.
The Beloit City Council adopted Ordinance 38‑80, changing the council’s regular meeting start time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. and adding language that special‑meeting notices must include a statement explaining why short notice is required.
Council President Kevin Levy introduced the ordinance and the council accepted Substitute Amendment No. 1, which inserts the short‑notice justification into Section 2.023(b) of the code. Councilor Blakely said she supported most of the changes but opposed Section 3, which moves the meeting time to 6 p.m. "I still happen to disagree with section 3, which changes our meeting time of city council, from 7PM to 6PM," Blakely said during the discussion.
City staff and the city attorney explained that, if adopted, the ordinance would be published and take effect the day after publication; the council was told the new meeting time would apply beginning with the council’s next scheduled meeting on June 16, 2025. The council voted to adopt the ordinance after accepting the substitute amendment; the motion carried with one recorded objection during the roll call.
Supporters said adding a short‑notice justification improves transparency for special meetings. Opponents raised concerns about the earlier start time potentially making council service or attendance harder for younger, working residents. Council members said they would revisit issues of accessibility and participation as needed.
The ordinance amends several lines of the municipal code concerning council procedure and special meetings; the adopted substitute amendment adds the requirement that notices state why short notice is required.
