East Lansing Council Meeting Dates & Times
Welcome to the East Lansing City Council, where important legislative matters are discussed and decisions are made regarding the governance of our vibrant community. To ensure that you stay informed and engaged, it is essential to know the schedule of the council meetings, access the agendas, and understand the meeting procedures.
The East Lansing City Council holds regular meetings on several Tuesdays each month. These meetings start promptly at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise scheduled. Mark your calendars and make it a point to attend these meetings to be an active participant in shaping the future of our city.
During the council meetings, you can expect a variety of topics to be discussed, ranging from city initiatives to community concerns. The council aims to address each agenda item thoroughly and invites members of the audience to share their thoughts and opinions on non-agenda topics.
As an engaged citizen, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the agenda, minutes, and videos of the council meetings. By accessing the City of East Lansing’s Public Meeting Portal, you can easily find all the relevant information you need. The Public Meeting Portal showcases agendas, minutes, and videos of council meetings starting from September 3, 2019. For archived meetings prior to this date, you can visit the City’s Granicus platform.
Additionally, if you are unable to attend the meetings in person, you can watch the gavel-to-gavel coverage of the City Council meetings live on WELG, Channel 22, or on the City’s website. This ensures that you can stay informed and up to date with the discussions and decisions that impact our community.
By taking an active interest in the East Lansing City Council meetings, you can be an agent of positive change for our beloved city. Stay tuned for upcoming council meeting dates, mark your calendars, and make your voice heard. Together, we can shape a better future for East Lansing!
Accessing Agendas, Minutes & Videos
To stay up-to-date with the East Lansing City Council meetings, community members can easily access agendas, minutes, and videos through various platforms. Here’s how:
1. City of East Lansing’s Public Meeting Portal
For the latest information on council meetings, visit the City of East Lansing’s Public Meeting Portal. This interactive platform contains all meeting agendas, minutes, and videos starting from September 3, 2019. Simply navigate to the portal and browse the available content at your convenience.
2. Granicus Platform for Archived Meetings
If you’re looking for archived meetings prior to September 3, 2019, head over to the City’s Granicus platform. There, you can find past agendas, minutes, and videos, allowing you to explore the council’s decision-making history.
3. Online and Cable Broadcasting
Can’t attend the meetings in person? Not to worry! The City of East Lansing provides gavel-to-gavel coverage of City Council meetings online at the city’s website. Additionally, you can tune in to WELG, Channel 22, if you’re a Comcast customer, to watch the meetings live or catch the reruns.
By utilizing these resources, you can easily access the information you need on meeting agendas, minutes, and videos in East Lansing. Stay informed and engaged with the city’s governance process.
City Council Meeting Procedures
The City Council of East Lansing follows specific procedures outlined in Policy Resolution 2019-5. These procedures ensure a structured and organized approach to the conduct of council meetings. Here is an overview of the key elements:
Agendas and Minutes
Prior to each meeting, agendas are prepared and published to inform council members and the public about the topics that will be discussed. These agendas provide a roadmap for the meeting, outlining the order in which items will be addressed. Once the meeting has concluded, minutes are created to document the decisions and discussions that took place. These minutes are made available to the public once approved.
Public Participation
The City Council values public input and provides an opportunity for members of the audience to address the council during meetings. Individuals are welcome to speak on any topic that is not on the agenda. To ensure an orderly process, the Mayor invites speakers to the podium as each agenda item is addressed. It is encouraged for speakers to keep their remarks brief to allow for others who wish to address the Council.
Visual Representation of City Council Meeting Procedures
To better understand the City Council Meeting Procedures visually, refer to the table below:
| Meeting Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| Agendas | Prepared and published prior to each meeting |
| Minutes | Documenting decisions and discussions during meetings |
| Public Participation | Opportunity for members of the audience to address the council on non-agenda topics |
Public Hearings and Consent Agenda
In the East Lansing City Council meetings, various agenda items are addressed, including Public Hearings and Consent Agenda items. These items play a crucial role in discussing and making decisions on legislative matters. Let’s take a closer look at what these items entail.
Public Hearings
Public Hearing Agenda items are required by law to be noticed in a paper of general circulation at least 15 days prior to the hearing. These items involve actions related to amending zoning ordinances, special use permits, Planned Unit Developments, master plan adoptions, and budget adoptions.
During the public hearings, members of the East Lansing community have the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on these specific matters. The City Council carefully considers the feedback received during these hearings before making decisions that impact the community.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda consists of routine business items that can be approved with a single vote. These items are typically administrative in nature and do not require extensive discussion. However, any member of the Council can request separate voting for any item on the Consent Agenda, allowing for a more detailed examination if necessary.
The Consent Agenda streamlines the decision-making process by grouping non-controversial items together. This allows the City Council to efficiently address routine matters and focus their time and attention on more complex issues.
Examples of items commonly found on the Consent Agenda include approving meeting minutes, accepting reports, authorizing contracts, and appointing members to advisory boards and commissions.
Business Agenda
In addition to Public Hearings and Consent Agenda items, the City Council also addresses Business Agenda items during their meetings. These items require discussion and consideration but do not necessarily require a public hearing. They may involve matters that were not taken action on during a public hearing or new issues that require council attention.
During the Business Agenda portion of the meeting, the Council thoroughly examines each item, considering various factors and perspectives. This allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed actions to ensure they align with the best interests of the East Lansing community.
By addressing Public Hearings, Consent Agenda, and Business Agenda items, the East Lansing City Council aims to make well-informed and inclusive decisions that positively impact the city and its residents.
| Public Hearings | Consent Agenda | Business Agenda |
|---|---|---|
| Required by law to be noticed in a newspaper at least 15 days prior | Routine business items that can be approved with a single vote | Require discussion and consideration |
| Actions related to zoning ordinances, use permits, plan adoptions, etc. | Administrative items like minutes approval and report acceptance | May include issues from public hearings or new matters |
| Opportunity for the community to provide feedback | Allows efficient decision-making for routine matters | Thorough examination of proposed actions |
Conclusion
The East Lansing City Council plays a crucial role in governing the city and making legislative decisions that impact the community. To actively participate in local governance, it is essential for community members to stay informed about the council meeting schedule, access agendas and minutes, understand meeting procedures, and be aware of public hearings and the consent agenda.
By regularly checking for updates and attending upcoming meetings, residents can stay engaged and informed about the decisions that directly affect the East Lansing community. This involvement ensures that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
Whether it’s advocating for a particular issue, addressing the council on a matter of importance, or staying informed about key decisions, active participation in the council meetings allows community members to actively shape the future of East Lansing. It is through this collaboration between the council and the community that the city can continue to thrive and prosper.
