Councilmember to propose new agenda-setting process to limit single-member control

Councilmember Wright said she will propose amendments to the council rules of order intended to prevent one individual from unilaterally deciding what appears on the tentative agenda. Wright outlined a plan for the next meeting to present motions and distributed materials, then proposed that tentative agendas be set by a three-person majority consisting of the mayor, a rotating council member and the town manager.

"Be set by a majority of those individuals — the mayor, one sitting council member that's on a rotating basis and a town manager," Wright said on the record, describing the group she envisions setting tentative agendas. She said subsequent requests to change an already-set agenda would require agreement by those three individuals. Wright moved that staff draft the recommended changes to the council rules of order and prepare them for discussion and action at the next council meeting; the motion was seconded and passed.

Next steps: staff will prepare draft rule changes and present them at the Oct. 13 meeting for council consideration.