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Resident accuses mayor of blocking agenda items, urges transparency
Summary
During public comment, a Libby resident accused the mayor of improperly controlling the council agenda and violating charter provisions; the council did not immediately change its agenda process during the meeting.
During the public-comment period, resident and frequent commenter Mr. Orr (1117 Nevada Avenue) used his allotted time to press the council on agenda access and transparency.
"When the mayor will not let a council person put something on the agenda, the mayor is violating the constitution," Mr. Orr said, arguing the mayor should not control the legislative agenda and alleging the mayor was hiding items from the public. He said he had repeatedly requested placement on the agenda and that refusal amounted to a violation of the charter and council rules.
Councilors did not take immediate formal action to change agenda procedures at the meeting. The mayor invited further comment but proceeded to move to the next agenda items. Mr. Orr's comments were recorded in the meeting transcript in full; the council did not debate or rule on his legal assertions in that session.
The council later discussed other governance matters in unfinished business, including formation of a local government study commission funded by a permissive levy; councilors also reported a briefing from the regional EPA director on long-standing staff and technical issues. The mayor said she would reach out to Chief Erkenbrock regarding a separate policing-vetting matter raised later in the meeting.
The transcript does not contain a formal denial or a point-by-point rebuttal to Mr. Orr’s constitutional claim during the meeting; the mayor and council moved on to scheduled agenda business after hearing public comment.
