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City Council Meeting Minutes November 16, 2021 <br />presentation ahead of the actual meeting for better understanding for himself <br />and the public. <br />Council Member Prather stated he is new to the work sessions but likes the <br />message board that allows for questions and answers but also access for all <br />council to have the same information. He wants to respect everyone's use of <br />time, council, staff, and public. He does not see the need for packet meetings <br />again. <br />Mr. Lumbreras stated regarding the packet meeting the council didn't have <br />enough time to go through the packet prior to the meeting and during the <br />regular meeting council still had a lot of questions so the packet meeting was <br />not fulfilling the purpose. That is when the work session concept came up <br />which allows a look at the critical issues that will appear on a future agenda to <br />ensure council had all the information. The message board ensures that all <br />council members see the questions asked by any other council member and the <br />responses by staff. Prior to the message board council members would email <br />questions to staff and only the council member inquiring saw the responses. <br />Now all council members, and the public, see the questions and response. <br />Council Member Garza would not be opposed to having the packet meetings. <br />She would like public comment during work sessions. She wanted to know why <br />there not public input during work sessions. Mayor Hughson stated the work <br />session is an opportunity to brainstorm and consider information provided. <br />She mentioned the council doesn't formally vote, but asking for preference is <br />determining how to move forward on the topic that will give staff direction. <br />She noted that any action items will be posted at a regular meeting and citizen <br />comment is done at that time. She also noted that ordinances require two <br />readings and that allows more opportunity for citizen comment. Nothing is <br />finalized at work sessions. She also noted that council has always allowed time <br />for everyone signed up to speak even if it will be more than thirty minutes. <br />Council Member Baker expressed concern that Council may be violating the <br />Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) during the work sessions by not allowing <br />citizen comment. Council Member Baker would like to know the difference <br />between regular meeting and work sessions and what TOMA's requirement is <br />for public comment. He also noted that council members may only ask for <br />items on a regular agenda and not work sessions. Mayor Hughson noted that <br />council members have been placing items on regular agendas for many years. <br />The work session is a relatively new type of meeting and that hasn't been <br />addressed. <br />City of San Marcos Page 17 <br />