Councilman Dave Golonski said that establishing a cap was important, in light of the fact that city staff members who attend meetings are expected to be back to work first thing in the morning.
"The pause to make a simple majority vote that says 'Yes, we want to continue' just makes us more cognizant of the fact that the hour is getting late," Golonski said.
In addition, there was a proposal on the table to begin meetings at 6 p.m., half an hour earlier, in order to make more time for the ceremonies and presentations that sometimes cause meetings to last until the late hours.
Proposed format changes would also combine public comment periods — which are now separated between a two-minute period for non-agenda items and a four-minute period for comments pertaining to any item of city business — into a single five-minute period, when the public would be allowed to speak on any item of city business, regardless of whether it's on the agenda. There would also be an additional three-minute period for public comment at the end of council meetings.
Supporters of a combined public comment period have argued that it would simplify the public's interaction with the council and make for more efficient oral communications.
"Mr. Golonski and I have always seen the world differently when it comes to this particular situation," Mayor Marsha Ramos said.
"I personally believe that the five-minute period of oral communications will expedite the meetings somewhat."
During the public comment at Tuesday's meeting, two residents urged council members to gauge the impact that the changes would have on the public's ability to participate in civic affairs.
