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Milton council debates ordinance to make mayor chair agenda review and work sessions
Summary
Councilmember Michael Leake proposed an amendment to make the mayor the presiding officer for agenda review and work session meetings; the mayor and the city attorney disputed whether a referendum was required. Council agreed to move the edit to the regular council meeting for a vote.
Councilmember Michael Leake proposed on Feb. 11 that the city ordinance governing public meetings be amended so “the mayor shall chair the agenda review and work session meetings. In the absence of the mayor, the mayor pro tem shall chair the meetings.”
The proposal aimed to clarify who presides at non‑charter council gatherings after changes in recent years. The mayor urged colleagues to restore a simpler rule, saying the charter already gives the mayor a leadership role and asking the council’s support “in allowing me to fulfill, that leadership role that that, previous mayors have been allowed to fulfill without, such complicated ordinances.”
City Attorney Mead summarized the legal baseline: “The charter does say that the mayor must preside at city council meetings proper,” and explained that the charter is less explicit about other meeting types. Mead said that the council may by ordinance prescribe duties for the mayor at other gatherings if it chooses.
Councilmembers and staff debated practical effects: City Manager Mr. Spears noted staff workload and overtime implications if the council returned to a three‑meeting format, and several councilmembers said the amendment was intended to restore the mayor’s role and to make agenda rules clearer. Public comment echoed that view: Cherry Chapman, a Milton voter, told the council the charter as adopted by the voters is clear that the mayor conducts council meetings.
After discussion, Leake said he wanted to make the single edit and “move it to the council meeting and pass it from there.” Members agreed to bring the amended ordinance forward at the regular meeting for formal consideration.
The council did not vote on the ordinance at the work session; the item will appear on the upcoming regular meeting agenda for a recorded vote.
