March 28, 2024

Council follow up: council passes meeting format change

City Council decides to change meetings format

During Monday night’s Newton City Council meeting, members agreed to change the format of one of their meetings each month, creating a work-session-style council session.

Council members will still have their meeting at city chambers, but the meeting will be held in a similar style to board meetings with an open discussion round table.

The meeting change was agreed after City Administrator Robert Knabel present the council with his research. Knabel said he talked to City Administrator Marketa Oliver, of Windsor heights and to City Administrator Jeff Mark, of Altoona City. Both administrators changed their council formates and saw success.

The Daily News contacted several council members and they said the following about the change:

“The real plus is we have a real opportunity to sit down in a relaxed atmosphere and discuss issues without having to make a decision at that time, and at the same time, allow staff to hear what our thoughts are,” councilor Steve Mullan said.

“I am going to reserve judgement until we try it out,” councilor Dennis Julius said.