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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,April 20,2015 Page 11 Mayor Roe noted that schedule would also allow the Finance Commission time for discussion at their August Commission meeting as well. At the request of Councilmember Etten, Mayor Roe confirmed that the joint dis- cussion should not only include the budget in general, but also the capital im- provement program. Discussion ensued regarding timing of the City Manager-recommended budget in correlation with meetings of and review by the Finance Commission, advantages and/or disadvantages of holding the public hearing at the Finance Commission level, or adding another hearing to that more formal hearing at the City Council level. Councilmember McGehee expressed her openness to having a hearing at the Fi- nance Commission, but did not want to exclude an opportunity for residents to al- so comment at the City Council level if that provided a better comfort level or if that was the venue they usually spoke at. Councilmember McGehee opined that no matter the opportunity provided for that public comment, that either or both be well-publicized. Mayor Roe concurred that it made sense. Councilmember Etten expressed concern that, if only one meeting was held, or if two opportunities were provided at both the City Council or Finance Commission level, it was important to have at least one of those opportunities on a City Coun- cil meeting night. Councilmember Laliberte concurred with Councilmember Etten; opining that if an additional opportunity was provided by the Finance Commission, it was still important for the City Council to hold a public hearing as well. If the City Council was interested in both, City Manager Trudgeon suggested not holding them on back-to-back nights, but allow for some separation. At the re- quest of Mayor Roe as to his rationale, Mr. Trudgeon advised that otherwise, the meetings may be too close together. Mayor Roe opined that holding them on back-to-back nights could provide an op- tion for the public in case of a conflict with one or the other. On the same subject, Finance Director Miller sought input from the City Council on whether the usual information covered by staff during the budget hearing and open-ended questions from the public or a statement from them, was the preferred format or what the City Council intended for either or both of those presentations. Mr. Miller advised that he at a minimum of staff would be present; however, he