Committee agrees to add standing "report out" line for alder committee reports

The J and O Committee agreed to ask the mayor to add a standing agenda line for alder committee "report outs," aimed at making it easier for the public to see how council-allocated funds are spent.

Administrator Windy, identifying themself as city administrator, described a request from Alders Cleveland and others to add a specific item so "if you have something to share, you do. If you don't, you don't." Windy said the city code already contains a reports category but that a visible line item would serve as a reminder to bring forward reports from commissions and boards.

Chair (S1) said she was open to an extra line but objected to listing every committee on every agenda because some seldom meet. Committee member S4 moved to add the line item; committee member S6 said the mayor could simply place the item on future agendas without a formal ordinance. The group agreed the new item would be informational only — not a forum for debate — and that any official action would require a separately noticed agenda item.

The committee did not adopt an ordinance; instead, the chair said the mayor would add a 'business by Alders' report-out line on future agendas. The committee did not schedule further action on the matter at this meeting.