Weatherford council keeps 6 p.m. start, formalizes meeting schedule and cancellation rules

The Weatherford City Council on Sept. 24 voted to keep its regular meeting start time at 6:00 p.m. and adopted amendments to the council policy manual that formalize an annual meeting schedule and clarify who may cancel meetings.

Staff member Mister Hotak told the council the policy changes would codify current practice and add language that the mayor, in consultation with the city manager (or mayor pro tem in the mayor's absence), would be the decision makers about meeting cancellations. Mayor Pro Tem Welder argued for retaining the 6:00 p.m. start so working residents could attend, saying, "I would like to see us remain with the 06:00." Several council members raised competing concerns about making up missed business and staff scheduling during summer and holiday months.

Council discussed whether to meet twice monthly year-round or keep one meeting in July, November and December; the adopted policy retains a single meeting in those three months but directs staff to track whether business is delayed because of the reduced schedule. Council also asked staff to amend planning-and-zoning meeting timing in July so applicants would not face an added two-week lag when P&Z precedes council. The item passed following a motion to approve the changes and later adoption of the fiscal-year meeting schedule.

Why it matters: Meeting times and cancellation rules shape public access to elected officials and determine how quickly land-use and permitting decisions advance. The council directed staff to update the city website to reflect the adopted dates and to report back if the reduced schedule causes delays.

The council adopted the resolution amending the council policy manual and separately approved the fiscal-year meeting schedule; staff will notify residents and update public calendar postings.