Sacramento City Council Can Now Meet Less Often And Earlier In The Day

Weekly Sacramento City Council meetings are a thing of the past, as are the meetings that only start in the late afternoon.

The change comes after voters approved Measure K in the November election, which allows more scheduling freedom for the Council.

"Our charter used to state that we had to hold a city council meeting once a week," says Sacramento City Clerk Mindy Cuppy. "With the passage of Measure K, we have the opportunity to set our own meeting schedule as needed."

In addition to fewer meetings, at least one per month will begin in the afternoon. Last week's meeting started at 2 p.m.

"By having one meeting during the day once a month, that gives folks the opportunity to come in that wouldn't be able to come in the evening," Cuppy says.

Critics have complained the earlier meetings prevent them from attending because they have to work.

"These meetings should not be scheduled in a way that inhibits in any way shape or form public participation," says Tee Whitney, a regular speaker at council meetings. "Any public meeting (should) be scheduled that is the most accessible to the public. Period."

Whitney also urged the city to make parking free around City Hall during meeting times.

Cuppy says the council used to be required to hold 48 meetings per year, with two weeks off in July and two off in December and January.

This week, for the second time this year and not counting New Year’s Day, there will be no meeting.