In an effort to enhance resident’s experiences with Richardson City Council meetings, The Richardson Echo with Bill McCalpin brings you “McCalpin’s Unofficial Guide to City Council Meetings.” Very often it is the case that residents have little experience in dealing with the formalities of City Council meetings. Bill McCalpin gives his interpretation of policies and procedures of City Council meetings having attended hundreds.

Mr. McCalpin stated, “I have attended a large number of Richardson City Council meetings in the last 3 years, and I have repeatedly encountered residents who are unfamiliar with how the City Council and City government function in their meetings. This made me realize that while our City government - like most municipal governments- is very good about telling us what they do, people often didn't know how they do it. And because people don't know how the Council operates in meetings or how they can give their input, they can become unnecessarily frustrated. This guide is the first of many guides that describe how the City Council, city committees, the city staff, and other related entities function, and, just as importantly, how Richardson residents can interact with these bodies for their own good and the good of City.”

This is the first in a new section on The Richardson Echo where we will have special items of community interest. These will be listed under “Extra” on the menu.

McCalpin’s Guide is intended to be a general guide for someone unfamiliar with City Council meetings? It will answer such questions as:
What is the difference between a Council Meeting and a Work session?
What are the typical parts of an agenda?
What is a “Consent Agenda?”

This Guide will be updated as needed. Because it is a sizable endeavor, much can be added, and, of course, changes may occur because omissions or errors.

Mr. McCalpin is solely responsible for the content. Suggestions are appreciated.

Click Here to see McCalpin’s Unofficial Guide.