Port may change ordinance approval rules

A streamlined process to approve ordinances in the City of Port Washington is expected to be considered by the Common Council next week.

The process that will be considered during the council’s Tuesday, Jan. 21, meeting would allow aldermen to approve a proposed ordinance with only one hearing instead of the more common two “readings” of the document if two-thirds of the aldermen present agree.

The proposed change does not do away with the need for public hearings, which are required for some ordinances, City Attorney Matt Nugent said. If the city plans to approve these ordinances after one reading, the public hearing must be held at that session.

Currently, proposed ordinances are presented to aldermen twice before a vote is taken, a process that takes at least two weeks to complete. But in an emergency situation, the second reading can be waived with a three-quarters vote of the aldermen present.

Ald. Mike Gasper said the proposed change in the rules “has nothing to do with fast tracking any new development ... or shoving things down people’s throats.”

The change, Mayor Ted Neitzke said, will allow the Common Council to streamline approval of “more mundane” type ordinances, such as adding a stop sign at an intersection.

Ald. Dan Benning concurred, saying it would be ideal for ordinances such as the one that renamed a portion of Holden Street in front of Port Washington High School Pirate Way.

“Does that really need a second reading?” Benning asked. “How often it’s (going to be) used, I don’t know.”

Neitzke noted that each ordinance is researched and vetted by the city’s committees before heading to the council for approval.

“I believe it truly honors the work of our committees,” he said.

“If the process has been followed, there’s usually little discussion (before the council).”

If aldermen want to further review a proposed ordinance, he added, the council likely won’t vote for the abbreviated approval process.

“I think as a council you will maintain your diligence,” Neitzke said.  “There’s no desire to do things so people don’t know what’s going on.

“This just gives us the ability to move a little more quickly.”

But Ald. Pat Tearney questioned whether that’s needed.

“Are we really saving that much time with this?” he asked. “It almost seems like much ado about nothing.”

Neitzke noted that neighboring communities employ a variety of processes to approve ordinances.

In a memo to the council, former City Attorney Eric Eberhardt noted the City of Cedarburg allows ordinances to be adopted with one reading while the City of Mequon and Village of Saukville require two readings but allow approval after one reading if two-thirds of the board or council agrees.

In Grafton, ordinances recommended by committees may act on the measure after one meeting or be deferred to the next meeting at the request of two trustees.

In West Bend, aldermen may act on an ordinance at the first reading unless any alderman votes against it, in which case it will be considered at the next council meeting.