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Addison council weighs shorter town‑meeting format, longer pre‑meeting stations to boost engagement
Summary
Staff recommended shorter presentations, heavier use of videos and an expanded one‑hour pre‑meeting with department stations to increase resident interaction; councilmembers broadly supported the idea but debated council on‑camera roles and event timing to avoid conflicts with major local events.
Mary Mossembley, Addison’s director of marketing and tourism, told the City Council the town’s twice‑annual meetings have lengthened and attendance may have been affected. She proposed a shorter mayor‑ or city‑manager‑led presentation, more video content that includes short council cameos, and an expanded pre‑meeting from 30 minutes to one hour with staffed stations where residents can speak one‑on‑one with department directors.
Mossembley said the next town meeting is scheduled for April 1 at the Renaissance conference room and that the town’s research into comparator cities showed a range of formats, from single mayor presentations to panel Q&A and chamber‑hosted events. “Our current meeting format is that each council member speaks for about five to seven minutes,” she said, adding that video content has improved and can be used to shorten live remarks while preserving information.
Councilmembers welcomed the emphasis on department‑staffed stations. Councilmember Bartle suggested opening with the mayor and limiting councilmembers’ on‑camera time to keep the focus on information. Several members, including Councilmember Chris and Councilmember Darren, supported a longer pre‑meeting so residents can ask detailed questions at stations about projects such as Lilac’s Pond and streets work. Some members cautioned about scheduling around major regional events to avoid competition for attendance.
Staff will incorporate council feedback into planning for the April meeting, including promotion of the expanded pre‑meeting and options for video usage, and will return with final logistics.
