St. Helens council moves to consolidate meetings to once a month, keep executive sessions separate

Councilors on April 1 discussed and reached a working consensus to move from two regularly scheduled meetings per month (a work session and a regular session) to a single consolidated monthly meeting, with the third Wednesday proposed as the preferred date.

Supporters said the change would reduce staff time preparing multiple packets and decrease costs associated with legal counsel attending frequent meetings. Several councilors recommended scheduling executive sessions separately—or on demand via Zoom—and receiving privileged memos in writing when a full executive session is not required, to avoid late-hour scheduling and to let councilors digest materials in advance.

Some council members raised personal scheduling conflicts if meetings were moved to earlier start times and urged flexibility. The council agreed to trial the consolidated schedule in May and to hold an executive-session check-in on the first Wednesday in May to cover transition items. No formal ordinance was adopted at the session; staff will implement scheduling and notice changes as the council finalizes timing.