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Council declines to change voting procedure tonight after members raise transparency concerns
Summary
Council discussed draft language to allow voice votes (with roll‑call on request) but did not adopt the change; the mayor said he would revisit the idea later if consensus emerges and staff will place it on the December work plan.
City Attorney Eric Nelson summarized proposed amendments to council rules that would permit routine votes by voice, with the clerk recording individual votes in the minutes and any council member entitled to request a roll‑call vote. The proposal also included a clerk verification step if the voice vote result was unclear.
Several councilmembers expressed reservations. Councilmember Paula (Calvert) and others said roll call increases transparency for viewers of the meeting video and reduces pressure on dissenting members. Councilmember Deb Calvert said she was not opposed to the idea in principle but worried it could be construed as less transparent and might pressure dissenters.
Mayor Rebecca Schack said most votes tend to be unanimous and a voice‑vote option could speed routine business, but she did not want to make a procedural change without clear council consensus. The council agreed not to proceed with a rules change now and to consider the item during the December planning of the 2027 study‑session work plan.
