LAWTON – Regardless of whether the City Council convenes in the afternoon or at night, “People come to the meetings when it’s something that affects them,” Councilman Randy Warren told his colleagues recently.
For example, the council chamber was packed Jan. 28 when the council conducted a session about dangerous dogs, and again Feb. 11 when the council discussed a Lawton Fire Department efficiency study.
“I’ve seen teachers, nurses, small-business owners make the time to be here,” Warren said. “Young professionals can join us.” Also, “Every single one of our peer cities hold their meetings in the evenings, at 6 or 6:30 p.m.,” he said. “There’s a reason for that practice: it works.”
Last June the council debated whether to meet semimonthly at 2 p.m. or revert back to 6 p.m. The council split 4-4 to switch their meetings back to 6 p.m. for six months, and Mayor Stan Booker broke the tie in favor of the switch.
“We have incurred some expenses” by meeting at night rather than in the afternoon, Councilman George Gill pointed out.
“We have employees who have to be here” to answer questions about policies, procedures, and legal issues, Warren noted previously. Consequently, the City of Lawton’s overtime pay for council meetings has been approximately $60,000, City Manager John Ratliff said. “And that doesn’t include the additional security provided at City Hall during council meetings,” he added.
The Lawton City Council’s regular meeting Feb. 11 concluded after 4 hours and 8 minutes.
The councilors then entered a closed-door executive session that lasted 44 minutes, concluding at 10:52 p.m., City Clerk Donalynn Blazek-Scherler told Southwest Ledger.
“We should be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” Councilwoman Sherene Williams said. “We’re spending more out of our budget for evening meetings – money that could be given to somebody as a raise.
“It’s not really any more hardship for those who come or don’t come” at 6 p.m., Gill said. “I haven’t seen that many people at night except for special occasions. If it’s important to people,” Gill said, echoing Warren, “they’ll come to our meetings.”
“I’m willing to stay with 6 p.m.,” Councilwoman Mary Ann Hankins said. “It’s rough on the staff, but only two times a month.”
The council voted 5-3 on Feb. 11 to continue holding their regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The proposal was endorsed by councilors Allan Hampton, Bob Weger, Linda Chapman, Warren and Hankins. Council members R.L. Smith, Williams and Gill voted in opposition.