Town Board members briefly discussed a suggestion by commissioner Brian Jenest Tuesday night to consider starting meetings earlier than 7 o’clock on the second Tuesday of the month. Mr. Jenest suggested even a half-hour change, to 6:30 p.m., might help the commissioners – and residents – get home a bit earlier.
Mayor John Woods worried that the earlier start time would cut into family dinners or make it hard for those who work out of town to get back in time for the meetings.
The board also discussed keeping meeting times the same, but scheduling some items earlier, such as closed sessions to discuss personnel or other private issues. Town Manager Leamon Brice suggested conducting some business in a pre-meeting session of some kind.
Board member Laurie Venzon wondered if the agenda could be rearranged to put less important items first, such as the “consent agenda” of items to be approved without discussion. That could address concerns about meetings starting too early, she suggested.
The board took no action on the issue, saying it wanted to discuss Mr. Jenest’s idea further.
What do you think? Should the town board meet at 6 or 6:30 p.m., instead of 7? Leave a comment below, or send a message to editor@davidsonnews.net.
ALSO TUESDAY
Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Town Board:
- Approved minor text amendments to the Rural Planning Area section of the town planning ordinance. The changes require that certain types of rural develepments – known as low-impact subdivisions and farmhouse cluster subdivisions – should be subject to the town’s adequate public facilities ordinance and affordable housing requirements.
- Got an update from Town Manager Leamon Brice on the proposed joint renovation of Davidson IB Middle School on South Street as a community center and school. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials have tentatively agreed to extend their deadline for Davidson to agree to participate until Sept. 9. That will give the town time to look for ways to pay its $4 million contribution or work with architects to reduce the proposed cost.
- Heard a presentation about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and a proposed $250 million bond issue to pay for improvements, facilities and repairs that could be on the November ballot.
- Approved spending $18,666 from the Affordable Housing fund to reimburse Davidson Housing Coalition for design work on the New Bungalows on Jetton Street.
- Voted to revise language in the town ordinance to make it clear that speeding in a school zone is punishable by a fine.
- Approved a resolution opposing a federal bill (House bill 980, Senate bill 2123) called the “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007.” The resolution says the bill would “effectively federalize state and local government labor-management relations” and hurt the town’s ability to manage its public safety operations.
I have attended many board meetings the past couple of years and most of them let out by 9:30. I agree with the mayor that moving them up is potentially more disruptive to citizen’s schedules. Typically any agenda item that involves a child (like a math fair presentation) is done early, and it is only adults staying “late.” People who are concerned enough to serve the town or to attend these board meetings can certainly stay up until 9 or 10 p.m. once or twice a month.
As of Thursday midday, the town is now conducting its own poll to gather citizen input on whether the Board of Commissioners should change its monthly meeting time. See http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us …
Reader Jeannine Bodner writes:
I noticed at the most recent board meeting that there were about five interruptions between 7-7:45 with people arriving after the meeting start time. I think that this shows that people have interest in the meeting but, in today’s busy world sometimes have to stretch a little to make it to the meeting.
My husband is a physician in Concord and typically would not get home early enough to make an earlier start time. We have three children that have to be cared for before making it to the meeting, and this makes it and it hard for me to get there.
Because it is important to get the public’s input, i think that an earlier start time would be a hindrance.
Thank you, Jeannine Bodner
A half an hour one way or the other is irrelevant. If people care enough, they will be there.
Reader Loretta Wertheimer writes:
At this stage in my life, now that I am retired, I would much prefer to
attend meetings that start and end earlier in the evening. For me,
therefore, 6:00 p.m. starting time would be best. Were I still
employed in an office job as I once was, I would have wanted the
meetings to begin at a later time.
This is the kind of question that has no “right” answer. Whatever
starting time is finally decided on will be convenient for one portion
of the community and inconvenient for another. And, whatever time is
decided on, I will plan to attend for the portion of the meeting that
works for me.
Good luck to the deciders.
Loretta Wertheimer