Council approves updates to Mount Vernon municipal code on meetings, public comment and virtual attendance (ordinance 39‑21)

The Mount Vernon City Council on Oct. 8 approved ordinance 39-21, revising Chapter 2.12 of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code to update internal council procedures, virtual attendance rules and public‑hearing requirements.

City Attorney Kevin Rogerson presented the ordinance and said the revisions respond to recent state law changes and council practice, adding rules for virtual attendance and clarifying that an opportunity for public comment is required whenever the council takes final action. Rogerson said the ordinance also inserts the phrase “as now exists or hereafter amended” after statutory citations so future statutory changes automatically apply to the city code without another city ordinance.

Other changes in the ordinance include updated rules for agenda setting and responsible officials, procedures for excusing council members from meetings, authorization for a consent agenda, modification of the council meeting order of business, and updated internal rules of debate and public comment procedures. The ordinance removes a standing, regularly held study session from the regular meeting schedule; the city attorney said the council may still hold study sessions as special meetings if desired.

Councilmember Gary moved to approve ordinance 39-21 and Councilmember Edis seconded. The council voted aye with no recorded opposition and adopted ordinance 39-21.

During public comment earlier in the meeting a resident had raised concerns about a proposed change to agenda submission deadlines and public comment time; Rogerson and the mayor addressed that point during the ordinance discussion, saying the code change is intended to allow staff time to prepare agendas and that public comment limits remain within council discretion.