(Update: It was reported that there would be a public hearing on the discussion at the Common Council Meeting on March 15. However, this information is incorrect. A date has not been set yet for the public hearing.)
The City of Cortland Common Council discussed the possibility of going from two to one meeting a month in the near future at its Tuesday meeting at The Armory on Wheeler Avenue.
City mayor Scott Steve said he could see one meeting a month where the council can get “everything addressed, done and get accomplished” within an hour-and-a-half.
“(An hour-and-a-half meeting) is not unreasonable to do, but this is our meeting (and for the community) and I don’t want to cut anyone short (in terms of a discussion),” Steve said.
According to Steve, other advantages to one meeting per month is more items on the agenda and potentially more community members “coming to the meetings.”
“This would give the council enough time to review documents (sent to them) and bring forth more of a discussion,” he added. “(Two meetings a month) isn’t a lot of time to get the information to all of you (in a timely manner).”
Councilperson Wayne Schutt (R-1st Ward) praised the mayor’s office for “getting all of the paperwork out to us (in a timely manner).”
“We all come prepared to vote,” Schutt added. “Discussions are briefs because the flow of information is very fluid.”
Schutt said he would consider having meetings once a month if “the flow of information and preparedness” stays the same.
“It’d be feasible,” he added.
Councilperson Pat Lane (D-4th Ward) said she’d like the council to stay at two meetings per month.
“If tomorrow a constituent called me and it’s something I should bring to the entire council, it’d be 30 days until I can bring up that topic,” Lane added. “If I missed a meeting, it’d be too long (in between) until I could attend another meeting.”
Councilperson Troy Beckwith (D-7th Ward) noted if the council decides to go down to one meeting a month, they could request special meetings “if we need to.”
“There may be times when we need meetings twice a month,” he added. He mentioned that two meetings per month could be needed during construction season, budget season and other important time periods throughout the year.
Steve noted that the council will have a more thorough discussion at a future meeting to weigh pros and cons on having either one or two meetings a month. There will be no Common Council meeting on March 1, he added.
