The Council was in closed session from 5 pm to 6 pm and shared no information about the content of that meeting.
Mayor Rideout opened the regular Council meeting with a prayer and the oath of allegiance to the United States, which took until 6:08 pm. He then proceeded to the agenda approval. Commissioner Sputty Cephas requested that item 10 – the second reading of Ordinance 1232, which deals with protocol for the city’s appointment and removal of citizens to certain (unnamed) non-profits, be taken off the agenda and tabled indefinitely. The Council agreed with no discussion.
The Council moved on with approving the consent agenda with no discussion of any item. The agenda included approval of the past meeting minutes, approval of public events, and the award of the contract for the construction of the Cannery Park Events Pavilion (no dollar amount or discussion at the meeting).
There was no old or new business on the agenda, so Mayor Rideout listed upcoming meetings and asked for public comment, of which there was none. The meeting moved to the Department Head’s comments. Police Chief Todd made an announcement about the upcoming Citizens Police Academy to be held every Wednesday in May – applications are being taken now.
The Council moved on to their comments. Commissioners Roche, L Cephas, and Harrington had no comments. Commissioner S. Cephas congratulated Commissioner Roche on being appointed to the “Critical Area Committee” by the Governor, and he also asked for volunteers in the 4th Ward to serve on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Commissioner Atkiss made a passionate speech about alcohol and drug abuse and the difficult recovery process people dealing with these issues face. She stated citizens need to recognize these problems and support individuals and programs in the city that are trying to deal with them.
The meeting, which started at 6:08, ended ten minutes later at 6:18.
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