Last night’s meeting began with a public hearing on the city’s proposed recreation and leisure district ordinance, AKA the go cup bill that goes into effect July 1.

The council heard pro and con comments from residents and others, including a neighbor’s complaints about the Depot area bars and, as he described, their accompanying litter, frequent arrests, loud music and harassment of a family member.

Council members decided they want more time to contemplate the proposed rules and to allow for more public comment. Note to city: Please make it a practice to put ordinance drafts and other proposed rules online to give residents adequate opportunity to read them BEFORE the meetings. People in the audience last night had not seen the draft but were given copies during the hearing.

The first public forum lasted until almost 8 p.m., and included a prolonged discussion of a resident’s propane permit and the “selective enforcement” of the pop-up tent ordinance in downtown. The final guest, Ken Murphy, was granted a temporary easement to use city property while Dan B’s is being built back on the beach. Murphy’s Law was invoked but not put into motion.

Until next time.