If you want to attend a Waukesha Common Council meeting or tune into one on TV, you’ll have to do so an hour earlier.
The council on Tuesday night approved a change in the start times for its meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Alderman Joe Pieper made the request to allow more participation for residents to attend as well as to give the council a better opportunity to finish meetings earlier in the night.
“We’re more efficient when we make decisions earlier in the evening and before the stroke of midnight,” Pieper said.
“And perhaps with 6:30 p.m. our TV ratings might improve," Pieper joked.
Alderwoman Kathleen Cummings, who along with Alderman Daniel Manion voted against the change, said starting the meetings at 6:30 p.m. is not family-friendly. She said moving the time up earlier cuts into family time.
Many of the aldermen, however, said the start time shouldn't impact their responsibilities.
"Our job is to be here, regardless of the time," Alderman Aaron Perry said.
After much discussion about a trial period and also to change the start time to 7 p.m., Alderman Steve Johnson said if anyone has any issues with the 6:30 p.m. start time after six meetings, they should contact the council president.
Common Council meetings are broadcast live on TV25 on the first and third Tuesday of the month with re-broadcasts daily.
Residents can also now go back and watch videos of past meetings through the city of Waukesha's new Granicus Legislative Management Network system that the city is now implementing on its website.
Along with online videos, packets and details relating to agenda items for various meetings are also now available on the city's website.