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Monroe council expands chair’s agenda-review authority amid pushback on transparency
Summary
The council approved an amendment granting the chair authority to review and approve items placed on the agenda, prompting debate and public concern about transparency; two members voted against the change.
The Monroe City Council voted to amend its Rules of Procedure to add a clause giving the council chair authority to review and approve items before they are placed on the agenda. The resolution (No. 8737) passed with two 'nay' votes from Councilman Harvey and outgoing Chair Gretchen Ezernack.
City Attorney Brandon Creekbaum told the council the change adds specific language to Rule 2.3 defining the chair’s duties; he said the amendment does not override state Attorney General (AG) guidance that previously found any council member can submit an item before the 3 p.m. deadline, but it does establish a local process for agenda review. Opponents said the change risks concentrating gatekeeping power. Mrs. Ezernack said she was concerned that giving a single person veto power could prevent council members from bringing district projects forward. Mr. Harvey said the council could codify protections if the body wanted to remove subjectivity.
Several residents urged continued transparency. Brenda Joyce Williams asked for clearer public engagement; Marie Brown recommended independent audits and warned against ad hoc removals of projects from the public view. The attorney said the amendment defines the local rule for agenda-setting and that specific policies implementing the change would still come before the council.
The amendment was recorded as approved (three in favor; two opposed). Council members said they would watch implementation and consider procedural safeguards.
