Temple City council directs staff to draft ordinance to move regular meetings to 7:00 p.m.

Temple City councilors on Dec. 3 directed staff to prepare an ordinance proposing that regular council meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays, asking staff to include analysis of how such a change would affect commission schedules and offer alternatives.

Council Member Cynthia opened the discussion by noting many other cities meet earlier and suggested a half-hour move would benefit residents and reduce very late evenings for staff. Council Member William Man and others said earlier starts could help staff who finish work at 5:30 or 6:00, while at least one member warned it would be difficult for members who work late to arrive earlier.

City Manager Brian Cook told the council that changing a start time would typically be handled by ordinance under the municipal code and that staff could prepare the proposed language. A city attorney briefing emphasized that later-running closed sessions can be accommodated and warned that certain rate-setting public hearings require careful scheduling to avoid legal notice issues.

The council moved and seconded a direction for staff to prepare a draft ordinance that sets regular meeting start times at 7:00 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays and to include consideration of commission impacts and alternate schedules. The roll call recorded "yes" votes from Council Member Chen, Council Member William Man and Council Member Sternquist and Mayor Chavez; the Mayor Pro Tem voted "no." The clerk recorded the motion as approved and staff said they would return with a formal ordinance for consideration.