The Lapeer City Commission on Jan. 5 voted to postpone approval of the Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 2025 minutes and directed the city clerk to revise the drafts to reflect actions only, citing Robert's Rules of Order and the commission’s rules and procedures.

Commissioner Ramona Petrie moved to postpone approval and asked the clerk to remove narrative summaries, commentary and discussion not expressly required by rule, referencing Robert’s Rules of Order (section 48) and the commission rules (A.10.f). Petrie said at length that the minutes should focus on "what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the members." The motion was seconded and debated extensively.

City Attorney Francis and several commissioners weighed in on the legal and procedural limits for recording minutes and on the chair’s authority to direct the clerk. The city clerk told the commission the December minutes took more than 40 staff hours to prepare and amounted to 147 pages; staff and some commissioners said selective narration in minutes can be useful for historical context, while Petrie and supporters argued for a stricter, action‑only record.

The motion to postpone and direct revision was put to a roll-call vote and recorded as follows: Commissioner Bridal (Yes), Commissioner Glitchman (Yes), Commissioner McCarthy (Yes), Commissioner Petri (Yes), Commissioner Atwood (No). The motion carried.

Commissioners and the city manager used closing remarks to urge better collegiality and to stress the need to protect staff from what several called a hostile meeting atmosphere. The clerk will prepare revised minutes consistent with the direction given and bring them back for consideration at the next regular meeting.