Members of the general public and staff both had their say last night (Monday) on proposed changes to the procedural bylaw governing council meetings.

Among the items, committee and council meetings would be held on the same night, on Tuesdays, and there would be no meetings on the weeks of advanced poll voting and election week come municipal election season.

When it comes to presentations, General Government Committee Chair Sheldon Forgette says anyone who wants to present for 5 minutes should let the clerk know what their subject is by noon of the day of the council meeting.

He says that 5 minutes could be on any item whether it’s on the agenda or not .

As for why they want the clerk to be informed, Forgette says the clerk may be able to help people out quicker than presenting to council, by putting them in touch with a staff member to discuss the issue.

He also says it would help Council prepare to deal with the issue too.

Meantime, the recommendation also includes 10 minute presentations, which would have to be submitted by noon on the Wednesday before a Council meeting.

Several residents presented on the issue last night saying Council was putting too many rules in place for people, when all they want to do is let Council know of their concern.

Betty Dean says five minutes strikes her as a reasonable amount of time to speak on an issue.

Overall, she says the city should be encouraging presentations and not discouraging them.

The staff report is recommending a couple of cost saving ideas.

It’s calling on the Council and Committee meetings to be held on the same night, which would save funds as the Commissionaires wouldn’t be staying late every week.

The other idea is to not advertise city meetings in the newspaper and just post the information online on the city’s web site.