As the city of Albert Lea heads into election season, the Albert Lea Tribune wishes to reiterate its point on getting rid of the Thursday night preagenda meetings. Many people ask how that would work.

It’s simple. The Albert Lea City Council would:

1. Make a rule that disallows any item introduced or brought up at a council meeting to be voted on at that same meeting. That means whether something is a staff-generated item, a council-generated item or an public-generated item, it would have two weeks or more for feedback and discussion until the council makes a decision.

2. Waive the rule only in emergencies. Say there is flooding in Austin and the council wishes to loan city equipment. The City Council would vote to waive the rule so the equipment could get to Austin as soon as possible.

3. Present an agenda that had a section called “New Business.” Under this heading, many of the new items would be presented. No voting. Council members can share their initial reactions or simply listen and not say anything. Another part of the agenda would be called “Action Items.” This is where the items from prior meetings are discussed. They can be tabled, approved, rejected — whatever action the council wishes.

See. It’s easy. We encourage all city candidates to embrace this approach to Albert Lea City Council meetings.

The change will result in council members making more-informed decisions. Instead of four days (two of which are not business days) to make decisions, the council would get two weeks.

It would result in greater public sunshine on council actions and discussions. Minutes aren’t even kept at the preagenda meeting. It’s a shame.

And it would result in a slight power shift away from city staff leaders and toward the public. If people disagreed with something the city proposes, there is more time for opponents to find a solid argument, rather than simply the stammering and naysaying that presently happens. This, too, will result in better decision-making.