Trustees hope changes make Hoffman board meetings better TV

Televising Hoffman Estates Village Board meetings means trustees will have to make changes in meeting procedures so that those tuning in from their living rooms can have an easier time following the proceedings. Village Manager James Norris has said the public could get confused when trustees read an ordinance multiple times.

Hoping to clear this up, the village will now rely more heavily on a consent agenda, where multiple items can be voted at the same time via an omnibus vote. Controversial items that merit discussion could still be pulled off the consent agenda so that could voted on individually.

Village staff on Monday unveiled what a revised board meeting agenda would look like with the changes. Norris said he'd hope to ease into the transition from the village's old ways starting in March.

Monday's meeting was the first away from the council chambers as construction crews began renovations.

Trustees also discussed teleconferencing. In the event a board member is out of town, a trustee can call in and be present via speakerphone. Staff is still working on the specifics, including how many times a year a trustee can utilize the phone option. A trustee would not be paid for attending a meeting if he or she called in.

Trustee Cary Collins said he'd side with Mayor William McLeod on his wishes over the matter. Norris was quick to point out that under village law, the village manager, not the mayor, is actually in charge of the agenda. But there's a chance that McLeod and Norris' wishes coincide once in a while.