Hollister City Council members will consider going from two meetings a month to three monthly meetings, but on a trial basis for six months.
That was the result of discussion at this week’s meeting where the council amended a proposal from Councilman Marty Richman to move from two to three monthly gatherings. Council members decided to bring back a resolution that would make the change, but for just a six-month term at the outset.
Richman said he knows it’s a heavy burden on the staff but said the city has “a lot of work to do.”
“The staff has been extraordinarily helpful and extraordinarily patient with me,” he said.
But Richman added that at some point, if the city gets caught up, officials should consider going back from three to two meetings.
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, who appears opposed to the change, expressed concern about additional costs for staff time. Most attending city officials, outside of the contracted city attorney, would not be paid extra to adjust their schedules, Councilwoman Carol Lenoir pointed out.
“We’re definitely paying our city attorney to come in,” Velazquez said.
Council members also took into consideration that the first meeting in January is customarily canceled, and there has been a self-imposed legislative recess in July over recent years.
The item will come back as a resolution, since Richman suggested the six-month caveat, for official consideration.
