more commission

After doing a bit more research, it seems my argument is more with the state of Kansas than with Arkansas City's city commission.

Some of the commissioners were a bit upset with yesterday's post. I did say they did nothing wrong. I was just questioning a matter of form. They are saying that they announced that they would put it on the agenda Monday night. I never heard that, even though it did seem headed that way.

So they were totally in the right. It just seemed to me that it went through too quickly, but according to state law, it wasn't. So it is a bit subjective.

Kansas is very loose in what it allows commissions and other governing bodies to do.

According to state law, governing bodies - such as city commissions - only have to notify the public that there will be a meeting, where and what time. They do not have to have an agenda. They are also not bound by their agenda if they have one.

There are also things they can bring up and pass immediately.
Such as the resolution Monday night.

I just felt there was no opportunity for the public to weigh in, but when its a resolution, there is no requirement to do so.

In many states much more is required. Even for resolutions, they have to have two or three "readings" before an issue can be voted on.
Some states require three readings. In the first "reading" the matter is announced. In the second "reading" there is a public hearing, and it may be voted on in the third reading. (Some states allow the second and third readings to happen at the same meeting) That seems best to me, but that isn't the case in Kansas.

The downside is it takes at least six weeks to get anything passed. The upside is that it allows public input on just about every issue or action.

I wonder if anyone cares about the resolution itself. Does it matter to you if Arkansas City affirms what the state did in declaring English the official language?

Maybe there are other things that could become the "official" item in Arkansas City.