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Aiken council approves first reading to add consent agendas to meeting rules; public comment allowed to remove items
Summary
Council voted unanimously in favor of first reading to amend city code to allow a consent agenda for routine items, with a form and in‑meeting process for the public to request removal of items from the consent list.
The Aiken City Council approved first reading of an ordinance on July 14 to amend Aiken City Code, section 2‑64 subsections 4 and 5, to allow a consent agenda for routine or noncontroversial items.
City staff framed the change as a procedural efficiency measure that would let council bundle routine items — such as many annexations and ministerial ordinances — into a single vote while preserving opportunities for public input and for any council member to pull an item for discussion. “The thought process is this can be a tool to increase efficiency of city council meetings for routine or noncontroversial items,” the presenting staff member said.
Under the proposed rules, any item placed on the consent agenda would have its title read aloud during the meeting, preserving the legal requirement for a reading, and could be removed from the consent agenda at the request of one council member. The ordinance as drafted also allows members of the public to request removal: an online form and a paper form will be available for submission to the city clerk prior to the start of the meeting; the forms must be submitted before the mayor gavels the meeting to order.
City Attorney and staff noted one adjustment in the draft language to preserve state law requirements for public comment on appointments to the Design Review Board; appointments and most boards and commissions will remain stand‑alone agenda items and therefore will not be placed on the consent agenda.
Council members debated rollout and public education steps, emphasizing the need to ensure residents know how to request removal of items. “We have to communicate it,” one council member said, urging outreach beyond simply posting the change on the website.
The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously. Councilman Burrell made the motion and Councilwoman Broll seconded it. The council asked staff to provide clear public instructions on the website and at meetings before the rule takes effect.
