Revised May 30, 2024
Note from SCA: Citizens must be attentive to the Consent Agenda based on the reasons outlined below. To be positive, it adds to the efficiency of a meeting by doing a bulk approval of routine items, such as minutes and accounting payments. Beware, it is also a place to tuck items that avoid the scrutiny of residents. For example, the April 8th agenda included blanket spraying of herbicides on the fields in Freeman Park. May 28th had approval of a permit for music at all baseball games and practices, on three fields, in Freeman Park, for the remainder of the summer. Imagine if that had passed without discussion! Don’t be dumbed down. What you don’t know can affect you.
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Ever wondered about the section of the council agenda called “Consent Agenda”?
The consent agenda is a tool used to streamline meeting procedures by collecting routine, perceived non-controversial items into a group whereby all are passed with a single motion and vote. This method has grown in popularity in recent years because of the time efficiencies.
Items on the consent agenda are not discussed further by the council. Any council member or member of city staff may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration or discussion. Residents may not remove items from the consent agenda.
Meeting agenda are posted 72 hours in advance of a meeting. Any resident with concerns should contact the a city council member, or City Administrator at 952.960.7900 before the agenda is published.
– Source: Saginaw Valley State University
