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McLendon‑Chisholm council votes to move meeting start to 5:30 p.m.; reopens and reconfirms vote
Summary
After an initial split vote, the McLendon‑Chisholm City Council reconsidered and unanimously approved a resolution to move regular meeting start times from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. so executive sessions can occur before public sessions.
The McLendon‑Chisholm City Council voted on Oct. 14 to change the regular meeting start time from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., allowing executive sessions to take place before the public meeting.
Mayor Bridal McNeal introduced the resolution, saying the earlier start would let the council complete executive‑session business before public attendees arrive and help staff and members get home earlier. The mayor told the council the approach had been used previously and urged members to ‘‘move the meetings as fast as I possibly can, efficiently and effectively for the people.’’
Council members raised scheduling concerns for members and the public. Council member Goodwin said an earlier start could make it difficult for people who work to attend and drive home, and council member Bowers said his primary concern was whether constituents and working council members could arrive in time. Legal counsel and staff clarified that the meeting could be posted as a regular meeting beginning at 5:30 with item No. 1 listed as the executive session and reconvening the public session at 6:30 for members of the public.
The council initially recorded five votes in favor and two opposed on a first show‑of‑hands. After asking to reopen the item for clarity, the council moved to reconsider and then took a second vote; by show of hands the motion passed unanimously. The mayor said the council would accommodate members who could not attend parts of an executive session through recaps or dialing‑in when permitted.
The resolution as adopted directs staff to post future meetings with an executive session at 5:30 p.m. and reconvening the public session at 6:30 p.m., consistent with the city attorney’s guidance about meeting notices and quorum requirements. The council did not announce any change to the public start time for viewers; the city explained the public would still have the public session begin at 6:30 p.m. on nights no executive session is held.
The council took no additional formal actions on the scheduling item at the meeting beyond the adopted resolution establishing the posting and meeting‑start procedure.
