Adam Benefield
Councilmember
Since the start time discussion is a stand alone agenda item separated from the Rules of Procedure, I thought it was best to start a new thread to limit discussions to just the start time.
Starting executive session at 1:00 PM addresses our increasing workload. With major developments, infrastructure projects, and policy decisions ahead, we need adequate time for thorough legal consultations and strategic discussions. The two-hour executive session window ensures we can properly address complex matters without rushing through important details.
The public session beginning at 3:00 PM maintains the timeline some members preferred while creating a logical flow for our meetings. Moving routine matters like the pledge, prayer, work sessions, staff reports, liaison reports, discussions, consent agenda, and other low citizen participation activities to earlier hours allows us to reserve peak evening time for high-engagement items requiring public participation.
Research on cognitive function and decision-making quality reveals concerning patterns during late-night meetings. Studies demonstrate that mental performance deteriorates significantly after 10 PM. Decision-making abilities can decline by up to 30%, while attention span and analytical capabilities drop by nearly 50%. Most notably, our ability to process new information and make complex judgments – crucial skills for council deliberations – becomes severely impaired after extended periods of cognitive load. The current pattern of midnight-plus meetings raises serious concerns about the quality of our governance. When we're making decisions about multimillion-dollar projects, zoning changes, or policy matters at 11 PM or later, we're operating at a significant cognitive disadvantage. This doesn't serve our community's best interests, potentially increases liability risks for the city, and often leads to irritation and disagreement.
Our city staff and attorney deserve consideration. Late-night commutes pose safety risks, and consistent schedule disruption affects their work performance.
The proposed schedule enhances public transparency and participation. By scheduling high-engagement items during prime evening hours (around 6:00-7:00 PM), we ensure citizens can participate when they're most alert and engaged. The predictable timeline allows for better planning, and ending meetings by 8:00-9:00 PM means more citizens can stay for entire discussions rather than leaving mid-debate due to late hours.
Strategic scheduling is key – placing high-interest items when working citizens can attend while handling administrative matters during earlier hours.
Looking at our upcoming agenda items for the next fiscal year, this timing structure becomes even more critical. We have several major development projects, infrastructure decisions, and policy initiatives requiring careful consideration and robust public input. Having these discussions during peak cognitive hours will serve our community better than pushing them to late night sessions.
I strongly encourage supporting this change to 1:00 PM start times, especially now that the City Attorney has clarified that a simple majority vote is required. It represents a thoughtful balance between operational efficiency, public accessibility, and quality governance. We can demonstrate leadership by implementing a structure that better serves all stakeholders while maintaining our commitment to transparency and public engagement.
On a personal note, I want to apologize for my irritability during our last meeting. Once midnight hit, my cognitive function was severely impaired. It took until Saturday to fully recover, which illustrates exactly why these changes are needed. Taking several hours after meetings to wind down, eating dinner, and getting to bed around 3:00 AM isn't sustainable. I would much rather start earlier and finish by 9:00 PM than continue with these late nights that require a full day of recovery. This current schedule is a disservice not only to us but to citizens and future council members who might want to serve.
Starting executive session at 1:00 PM addresses our increasing workload. With major developments, infrastructure projects, and policy decisions ahead, we need adequate time for thorough legal consultations and strategic discussions. The two-hour executive session window ensures we can properly address complex matters without rushing through important details.
The public session beginning at 3:00 PM maintains the timeline some members preferred while creating a logical flow for our meetings. Moving routine matters like the pledge, prayer, work sessions, staff reports, liaison reports, discussions, consent agenda, and other low citizen participation activities to earlier hours allows us to reserve peak evening time for high-engagement items requiring public participation.
Research on cognitive function and decision-making quality reveals concerning patterns during late-night meetings. Studies demonstrate that mental performance deteriorates significantly after 10 PM. Decision-making abilities can decline by up to 30%, while attention span and analytical capabilities drop by nearly 50%. Most notably, our ability to process new information and make complex judgments – crucial skills for council deliberations – becomes severely impaired after extended periods of cognitive load. The current pattern of midnight-plus meetings raises serious concerns about the quality of our governance. When we're making decisions about multimillion-dollar projects, zoning changes, or policy matters at 11 PM or later, we're operating at a significant cognitive disadvantage. This doesn't serve our community's best interests, potentially increases liability risks for the city, and often leads to irritation and disagreement.
Our city staff and attorney deserve consideration. Late-night commutes pose safety risks, and consistent schedule disruption affects their work performance.
The proposed schedule enhances public transparency and participation. By scheduling high-engagement items during prime evening hours (around 6:00-7:00 PM), we ensure citizens can participate when they're most alert and engaged. The predictable timeline allows for better planning, and ending meetings by 8:00-9:00 PM means more citizens can stay for entire discussions rather than leaving mid-debate due to late hours.
Strategic scheduling is key – placing high-interest items when working citizens can attend while handling administrative matters during earlier hours.
Looking at our upcoming agenda items for the next fiscal year, this timing structure becomes even more critical. We have several major development projects, infrastructure decisions, and policy initiatives requiring careful consideration and robust public input. Having these discussions during peak cognitive hours will serve our community better than pushing them to late night sessions.
I strongly encourage supporting this change to 1:00 PM start times, especially now that the City Attorney has clarified that a simple majority vote is required. It represents a thoughtful balance between operational efficiency, public accessibility, and quality governance. We can demonstrate leadership by implementing a structure that better serves all stakeholders while maintaining our commitment to transparency and public engagement.
On a personal note, I want to apologize for my irritability during our last meeting. Once midnight hit, my cognitive function was severely impaired. It took until Saturday to fully recover, which illustrates exactly why these changes are needed. Taking several hours after meetings to wind down, eating dinner, and getting to bed around 3:00 AM isn't sustainable. I would much rather start earlier and finish by 9:00 PM than continue with these late nights that require a full day of recovery. This current schedule is a disservice not only to us but to citizens and future council members who might want to serve.
