City Council Changes Meeting Time to 4:30 P.M.

The City Council on Monday voted unanimously to move future council meetings to a 4:30 p.m. start time.

The move to change the council’s meeting time was made by Mayor Victor Gordo “to accommodate more public participation,” Gordo said. “After listening to many in the public request that we get back to a more normal meeting time, we’re going to be doing that.”

In order to pass the ordinance, a second reading must be held next week. If the Council decides to meet at 4:30 p.m. next week, it would be a special meeting, and the ordinance would take effect on March 22.

Gordo announced his intentions to move the meeting time in a video released on Friday.

The Municipal Code requires that the City Council hold its regular meetings at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council has been conducting special meetings beginning at 2 p.m. Mondays by videoconference/teleconference.

The council has not met at its regular time since last March when City Manager Steve Mermell declared a local emergency.

“In order to conduct a regular meeting at an earlier, albeit interim time during the pandemic, an uncodified ordinance is proposed to change the regular meeting time from 5:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,” the resolution states.

Audience members still are not allowed inside council chambers and the meetings will continue to be held via Zoom.

City Manager Steve Mermell said he would ask Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh to address the guidelines and requirements  that allow the council to hold in-person meetings. Goh is scheduled to attend next week’s meeting.