I had been under the impression that there would be a public hearing at Monday night’s City Council session on the 2025 city budget, the trash collection fees under the new Republic contract, or both. However, after receiving a clarification from city officials and reviewing the revised City Council agenda, it appears there will be no formal public hearings on either issue Monday night.
However, since both items are for first reading only (meaning it moves forward with the vote of just one councilor) any public hearing on the budget and trash fees would be held in October, when a final vote is taken on each matter.
It should be noted that the City Council closes each meeting with “Community Comment,” an opportunity for the public to comment on any issue for up to 3 minutes.
The Council’s Finance Committee has held several meetings to review the 2025 $182.5 million spending plan for 2025. The Board of Public Works and Safety has approved the contract with Republic Services, providing city-wide trash collection beginning in January of 2025. The Council is required to vote on the fee schedule as part of that agreement with Republic.
The council agenda also includes a vote on a new noise ordinance and a fee schedule for emergency services.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm Monday, at the City Hall Theatre.
The City Council likes to suspend the rules – something they seem to do regularly that should be reserved for only critical issues. What are the chances they would suspend the rules on these issues and push them through on first reading? Are they legally required to have Public Hearings on a topic such as the trash pickup?
I am no legal expert, but not sure these items would be eligible for a suspension of rules… when it is possible, it takes a unanimous vote.