Council confirms interim city manager can remove agenda items; public raises transparency concerns

Councilmembers discussed and recorded on the public record that the interim city manager has authority under city procedures to move or remove items from the council agenda after question by councilmembers and public concern about a withdrawn consent item.

Councilmember Bang asked how an item scheduled for consent could be moved to a future meeting and whether the interim city manager had the authority to do so. The city attorney and other councilmembers confirmed on the record that the interim city manager exercised that authority and that the practice is provided for in council procedures or city code. Councilmember Bang and others asked that the record reflect the action; Bang said she wanted a public explanation for constituents.

Public commenters raised concerns about the timing and visibility of agenda changes and about posting practices. Keyon Bliss urged the council to publish a memo clarifying whether an unelected interim city manager can remove a legislative item from the agenda and called for clearer posting and notification practices, saying some items were posted in a less-visible place on the city website during council recess.

Councilmembers said they would follow up to ensure transparency. One councilmember said the city attorney had confirmed the interim city manager's authority and that they would circulate a memo to the council and the public to explain the process.

The discussion did not change the withdrawn item's status but recorded the council—s interpretation of existing procedure and included a request from the public for a formal written clarification of the rules.