LE MARS — There will be no change on the Le Mars City Council meeting times.
The council discussed options to its current noon meetings, but took no action. It meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. That is set by city statute, but the council can adjust the time as it sees fit.
Mayor Rob Bixenman first raised the idea of a different time in 2023. In his role as president of Perspective Insurance, he has a meeting at noon on the third Tuesday of the month, forcing him to miss several meetings.
In October and again at the Nov. 5 meeting, Councilman Clark Goodchild proposed moving the meeting time to early in the morning, either at 7:30 or 8 a.m., saying he would prefer to gather at that time. But he did not make a motion to shift to that time at the Nov. 19 meeting.
A motion by Councilman Mark Sturgeon to hold the first meeting of the month at noon and the second at 6 p.m. failed for the lack of a second.
“If we’re going to do it after work, 6 works better for me than 5, just personally,” Sturgeon said.
He contacted city department heads, many of whom attend council meetings, and asked for their thoughts on a different meeting time. Many said they had no preference, but some were not in favor of morning meetings.
Sturgeon also took a poll on his Facebook page and got six responses. Councilman Brad Bruns said he heard from three people who favored afternoon meetings.
Bixenman said he had received no comments on the possible change in meeting times.
Councilman Brad Pick, who did not propose a new meeting time, said he wants to find a way to encourage more citizen involvement in the council’s efforts.
Pick, who took office in January, said he has been disappointed in the lack of citizen attendance at meetings.
“The important thing here is, we’re trying, whether we’re successful or not, at least we can say we’re trying to encourage citizen participation,” he said.
He said he also hears misinformation from people about what the city is doing. The local media provides information, Pick said, but people pass along incorrect information when they talk with him.
He also noted that Tuesday nights would create a conflict with high school sports.
Goodchild said people usually only attend council meetings when an issue close to them is on the agenda.
“When it affects their neighborhood, they’re showing up. That’s history,” he said. “But nobody else shows up when it’s my neighborhood.”
Fire Rescue Chief David Schipper said he thinks night meetings might encourage more people to run for office. Schipper said he has been encouraged by a few people who are interested in serving on the council but are hesitant to run because of the noon meetings.
“I think that’s a valid concern,” Bixenman said. But he said he encouraged people to consider running, since council times can be changed.
Goodchild said he also urges people to run, including a woman he spoke with at the hospital.
“I appreciate anybody who has an interest,” he said.
City Attorney Michael Murphy proposed the council hold special quarterly meetings at night to see if that could encourage more involvement. That was supported by Councilmen Steve Wick and Goodchild, as well as the mayor.
Bixenman said it could start with a budget workshop, which might generate some interest.
Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori French said she thinks quarterly town meetings might draw a crowd.
“I think if somebody’s passionate about a topic that’s coming up, they’ll come,” French said.
Wick said night meetings could be scheduled when they work for the entire council, since special meetings would not have to be held at noon on Tuesdays.
“I think that makes sense,” Bixenman said.