The Peachtree City Council last week voted 3-to-2 to make adding an item to the council agenda a majority action during an open meeting — except for the city manager and city employees.
Voting for the change were Mayor Kim Learnard, Frank Destadio and Laura Johnson. Opposing it were Clint Holland and Suzanne Brown. Holland questioned why the change was even needed.
Here’s the text of the new process: “Agenda item request. City staff with approval from the city manager may request to have an item placed on the agenda, by filing such request in writing with the city clerk prior to noon on the Thursday preceding the council meeting.
“The mayor or any council member may introduce an item in accordance with Sec. 2-36(i) under staff and staff topics. Consensus must be reached in a public meeting by the mayor and council to determine if further investigation and research into the matter is warranted prior to bringing the item back for an official action at a subsequent meeting. Such items may not be placed or discussed on the agenda if council has already decided the issue within 180 days.”
So under the new rule, it takes more steps and a public vote for a single council member to get an item placed on the agenda than for a city employee, who needs only the permission of the city manager.
Council Member Laura Johnson moved the ordinance on the agenda, gave the presentation, and made the motion to approve a modified version of Mayor Kim Learnard’s proposal.
Learnard said the agenda item is about placing an item on the agenda, not deciding the issue.
Here’s Johnson’s explanation and council members’ responses in a transcript of the council conversation:
LAURA JOHNSON — “I’ve put a lot of thought into this, and so, I’m just gonna read this to you. It says the proposed ordinance that is on the agenda tonight would require the support of three council members or two council members and the mayor to put an item on the agenda.
“Since this proposal, it has…
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