By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Governmental meetings are not supposed to be a free-for-all. As such, the various bodies have adopted their own meeting protocols to ensure efficient and meaningful discussion. During Monday's Great Bend City Council meeting, the body voted 8-0 to approve a Code for Procedure. City Attorney Allen Glendenning appeared on 1590 KVGB/95.5 FM's "City Edition" program with Steve Webster earlier this week to explain why those procedures matter.
"The ordinance that has been passed has some provisions on how the agenda is set up," Glendenning said. "In the past, there weren't any written rules on that. The practice and procedure was basically that the city clerk and city administrator, in consultation with the mayor, came up with the agenda. There weren't any real statements as to how things got on the agenda or who decided it."
Mayor Alan Moeder announced Monday that councilmember reports would again be limited to those reporting on a board or commission on which they serve. Discussion of other non-agenda items will not be allowed. Moeder said any councilmember can get an item on the agenda as long as it is presented with facts for the rest of the council to review. Glendenning said that can be beneficial to the public.
"Generally speaking, if you put it in the agenda, on time, everybody is going to get a chance to look at it," he said. "Everybody is going to know what's up for consideration at that meeting. The public can contact their representatives or come to the meeting if they want to. That's generally the preferable way to do it from a transparency standpoint."
Councilmembers also have the option of adopting agenda items at the meeting. At the start of each meeting, the council adopts a consent agenda, which includes that meeting's agenda. Proposed amendments could be voted on at that time.
The Great Bend City Council recently welcomed three new members, and Moeder transitioned from councilman to mayor. Glendenning said there are several training opportunities and publications available to new councilmembers so they understand the rules and conduct expected as elected officials.
Great Bend City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month, now beginning at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda for that meeting is usually released the Tuesday afternoon before the meeting.