During last week’s Council Meeting, it was asserted that Council was barred from discussing a particular agenda item up for vote.

I stated at the time, and want to take a moment to re-emphasize here: The very reason for the existence of Council is to discuss, then vote on items.

This is based on our American system of self-governance: Legislative bodies, like City Council, are the forums in which we as a people directly, and through our elected representatives, consider, discuss, exchange ideas, share points of view, think through alternatives, and arrive at sufficient consensus to move forward as a community.

By contrast, to suggest that a community’s designated forum is not permitted to even discuss what they’re voting on, is, to me, to miss the mark of our democratic process. One could even say it violates the intent of the Maryland Open Meetings Act our proceedings are subordinate to – The act that requires discussions of our Council body to be held in public view and at a meeting available to the public.

This ability to talk with each other and thereby govern our lives in common, is a precious treasure, not guaranteed throughout so many parts of the world.

Thankfully in the end, after the raising of the parliamentary procedure question, Council did discuss the item, with members respectfully sharing their viewpoints with each other, followed by the normal next step of a motion to vote.