The Lakewood City Council voted on Jan. 6 to adopt Resolution 2025‑1, changing the council’s regular meeting schedule from four meetings a month to three and revising the times of study sessions and regular meetings.

City Attorney Heidi Wachter framed the change as an option within the council’s authority: one proposed pattern keeps a 7 p.m. regular meeting, a 7 p.m. study session, and a third Monday meeting beginning at 6 p.m. that would include both a meeting and study session. The council discussed the schedule, and members weighing in cited balancing public access with staff workload and resident outreach.

Council member Pearson said the revised schedule would allow council members to “meet people where they are” and make members more available for community events. Council member Laura Sella said reducing one regular meeting could free members to do more outreach while preserving public comment. Opposing the change, Council member Brandstetter said he remained “very opposed to doing this because we’re doing it for no good reason,” arguing the council currently provides thorough, visible review of issues and that cutting meetings could reduce transparency.

The resolution was moved and seconded (motion moved by Council member Bell; seconded by Council member Pearson) and passed by voice vote. Several council members asked that the change be reviewed after six months to assess any unintended consequences.

Action and next steps
- Resolution 2025‑1 adopted; council will operate on the new schedule unless it votes to amend rules again.
- Council members requested a review of the schedule’s effects within six months.

Why it matters
Changing the meeting cadence changes how and when the public can bring items to the council and may shift where council members allocate time for public‑facing outreach and policy work.

Ending
Council members who opposed the change said they would monitor the effect on transparency and access; supporters said special meetings and study sessions remain available if workload demands more time.