Bentonville council talks about public comments

BENTONVILLE -- The City Council will soon be adding a public comments time to its meetings after seven members discussed council procedures at a committee meeting of the whole Monday.

Jim Webb, Ward 4 alderman, was the only council member who wasn't present. Bill Burckart, Ward 3 alderman, sent a memo to the rest of council asking it to set its procedures for the next two years, according to state statue. A time for public comments was one procedure discussed.

At A Glance

Troy Galloway, community and economic development director, also presented the Bentonville Blueprint to City Council members at Monday’s meeting. The Blueprint is a five-year economic development plan for the city.

Council will vote whether to approve it at tonight’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

Source: Staff report

Council members talked about holding a public comments at the beginning of each regular council meeting.

James Smith, Ward 3 alderman, said having a time where the public could speak has been something he's been thinking about.

"We've seen other cities where that's turned into a literal circus so we would have to be careful," he said, adding guidelines would have to be set in place to make sure the time was productive.

Octavio Sanchez, Ward 4 alderman, said he admires the city's efficiency in its meetings; however, there really isn't a time for the public to speak if they wanted.

"In eight years, no one has ever been denied (the ability) to address the council," Mayor Bob McCaslin said.

Burckart said he's sat in his council seat and has seen looks of confusion cross people's faces when the meeting starts and ends so shortly. Burckart and Sanchez said a more formal time to allow people to speak would make it more inviting.

"If there is no one, perfect. We'll finish in 15 minutes and go home," Sanchez said.

George Spence, city attorney, said he could draft an outline to how the public comments time would be set up and what would and wouldn't be permitted. It should be available for council's approval in February, he said.

Burckart also suggested the council hold Committee of the Whole meetings at least four times a year. The council doesn't approve items in Committee of the Whole meetings, but discusses issues needing clarification or discussion.

"I'm in all agreement not wanting to have a meeting to have a meeting," Burckart said.

The criteria for the council to have a Committee of the Whole meeting is for members to look at something out of the ordinary, McCaslin said. Planning Commission items, ordinances and resolutions are all ordinary. Items such as plan presentations or rate study results would be out of the ordinary.

Most council membersagreed to have more Committee of the Whole meetings as long as they were needed.

Council meetings in the 1980s would regularly last until 10 p.m., John Skaggs, Ward 1 alderman, recalled. Skaggs served on council for a term in the 1980s. He's seen the work of eight mayoral administrations and praised McCaslin's for its efficiency.

"The written presentation is far superior than what we were doing back then," he said of the staff memos providing explanation of agenda items.

He said he believed quarterly Committee of the Whole meetings would be appropriate. Public comment at those would also need to have established guidelines, he said.

The council already meets as a Committee of the Whole at least twice a year; typically once in January and once in November, Chris Sooter, Ward 2 alderman, said. Sooter suggested there could be some framework set up for others but it should be done with the advice from the mayor and city staff since they know when major items are coming up.

Tim Robinson, Ward 2 alderman, said he wouldn't want to have Committee of the Whole meetings frequently, but they would be a good chance for council to communicate.

It's important for the council to be as strong as it can be so if and when the city were to have a leadership change, the council has knowledge and expertise, he said.

"I think by having more dialogue it will enable the council to be stronger," Robinson said.

Sooter also encouraged council members to attend Planning Commission meetings as many of the council items have been vetted through it as well as city staff before it makes it to council's agenda.

He also encouraged them to meet with McCaslin once a month to talk about city activity.

"We do go through our agendas quickly," Sooter said. "And we do operate in a very efficient manner. Sometimes we get criticized for that, maybe sometimes rightfully so and may other times maybe more councils ought to be doing things like we're doing."

Melissa Gute can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @NWAmelissa.

NW News on 01/27/2015

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