Saco council debates and tables wide-ranging changes to rules and order of business

At the council's first meeting of 2025, Councilor Gunn introduced proposed changes to the council's Rules and Order of Business pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.08 B of the City Charter. The body debated numerous amendments, and Councilor Berman moved to table final approval pending a formal redline revision; the motion passed on roll call, 7-0.

Why it matters: The rules govern how the council handles minutes, public comment, executive session, written materials, liaison assignments, and budget amendments. Council members said clearer rules would protect transparency and avoid recurring procedural disputes.

Key proposals and concerns: Councilor Johnston presented a long list of clarifying edits, including written procedures for minutes (allowing review via email before a vote), a formal written process for public members to request items be placed on an agenda (proposed 60‑day response window via the city administrator), and a two‑meeting process for budget amendments. He also proposed clarifications on commission liaison duties.

Several councilors raised specific concerns. Councilor Hatch and Councilor Berman questioned language in proposed Rule 16 restricting the playing of recordings and suggested adding the word "prerecorded" to avoid conflict with remote participation. Assistant discussion focused on Rule 27, which used the phrase "administrative minutiae." Councilor Hewitt and others said the wording could limit transparency and curb legitimate on‑the‑spot questions by council members; some asked that the paragraph be reworded or struck. Councilor Berman suggested a temporary cooling‑off period if a member of the public is chronically disruptive; others worried about indefinite bans and stressed the mayor's existing authority to preserve order.

Council direction: The council asked staff to produce a consolidated redline draft that incorporates the proposed edits and the concerns raised, then return it for consideration at a future meeting. Councilor Berman's motion to table the rules and order of business carried 7-0.

Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will prepare an updated redline version reflecting the conversation for the council's review. Councilors signaled interest in clearer language on public comment limits, a requirement for written requests to add agenda items and for clarifying which commission liaison positions are voting or nonvoting.