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Council weighs making work sessions optional, moving appointment interviews into regular meetings
Summary
Councilors discussed amending town rules to make work sessions optional and to conduct committee/board applicant interviews at the start of the regular council meeting; staff will draft proposed rule changes for later public review and vote.
The Town Council discussed whether to modify long‑standing rules to make work sessions optional and to permit board and commission interviews during the regular meeting rather than strictly before the meeting.
Background: Town Manager Jim Manny and councilors reviewed two interrelated items: the council rules of conduct (which currently call for a work session before each regular meeting) and the rules governing commission, committee and board appointments (which direct that interviews be conducted prior to regular meetings). Manager Manny told the council those rules were adopted historically and that council practice has evolved.
Proposed change and council reaction: Council President and other members suggested two practical revisions: make the work session optional and allow interviews to be placed as the first item in the regular meeting agenda so short interviews would not require a separate early start. Council Vice President Mike Marin and others supported keeping the regular 7:30 p.m. start time but moving interviews into the main session; another councilor urged retaining a later start because earlier start times can create attendance difficulties for working residents.
Process: Manager Manny said any change would require a formal amendment to the rules of conduct and would return as a draft revision for council consideration and a public vote, likely at the September meeting. Several councilors suggested additional discussion about start times to balance public attendance, staff availability and meeting length.
Why it matters: The change aims to streamline council time and reduce the need for extended early arrivals by applicants and staff while preserving public access and process. The council asked staff to draft revisions and bring them back for public review and a formal vote.
