Garner council approves moving monthly work sessions to 3 p.m.; some members voiced concern
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Summary
Council voted to change once‑monthly work sessions to begin at 3:00 p.m., effective with the November work session after an amendment; the initial roll call on the timing change passed 3‑2 amid concerns about volunteers and full‑time workers’ ability to attend.
Garner — The Garner Town Council voted Oct. 21 to change the start time of its once‑monthly work sessions to 3:00 p.m., a scheduling change the mayor said was intended to reduce staff evening hours. The motion, made during the consent‑agenda discussion, drew a mix of support and concern from council members who said the time change would help staff work‑life balance but could make attendance difficult for council members with outside employment.
Councilmember Matthews moved the change and a second was recorded; on roll call the vote was: Matthews — Aye; Singleton — No; Behringer — Aye; Dellinger — No; Vance — Aye (3‑2). Several council members argued that work sessions are generally informational and not used for final votes, while dissenting members said shifting the time could disenfranchise residents by making it harder for working council members to participate in person.
After the initial vote, council voted (voice) to amend the motion so the time change becomes effective with the November work session rather than immediately. The attorney clarified that, as amended, the change will take effect for the November meeting and the October meeting schedule remains unchanged.
Council directed staff to update calendars and post the change; the town attorney and town manager clarified implementation steps and staff compensation/flex arrangements for affected employees.