Despite some opposition from board members, the city council agreed to change the time of its regular board meetings.
Those changes may be a little confusing to the public.
The new meeting times will be 1 p.m. on the second Monday of the month during standard time and at 2 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time. On the fourth Monday of the month, the board will meet at 4:30 p.m. during standard time and at 5:30 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time.
Sarah O’Reilly-Evans, board attorney, said standard time begins the first Sunday in November and ends on the second Sunday in March.
Aldermen Dr. Jack Varner and Aubry Brent Jr. voted in opposition of the new meeting times, particularly meeting at 5:30 p.m.
“We tried that before, and people don’t show up,” Varner said. “And I won’t be here. You go ahead, but I won’t be here. We will be here till ten o’clock arguing about business.”
Delaware said she is aware that later meeting times may have been tried in the past. But she said the evening meetings would allow citizens who work to attend the city council meeting.
“The past does not always form the future,” she said. “We seek to bring our citizens into our meetings. Most cities across the country have their meetings after 5 p.m. so that citizens, whether they come or not...the opportunity is presented to them by the government.”
Varner said the city did hold meetings at 5 p.m. once at the request of the state.
“We did it for three months and never had a row filled up,” Varner said. “People will just not come after 5 p.m.”
Delaware said, according to basic statistical analysis, three months is just not enough time to change anything.
Alderman Rev. Gregory Robertson said he has also heard from citizens who would prefer a later meeting time.
“They would love to try to make the meetings, given the opportunity,” Robertson said.
Delaware reminded the board that if the amended ordinance doesn’t work, the board can also change the times back.
“I am not going to make it to the 5:30 meeting,” Brent said.
“I’m not either,” Varner added. “We stay here six hours, get out of here at 10 or 11 o’clock. I’m not gonna do it.”
On a 3-2 vote, the board meeting times were changed. The change will go into effect in 30 days.
The meeting on the second Monday in November will remain at 2 p.m.
