TUSTIN : Town Hall Meetings’ Format to Be Chosen

As the idea of town hall meetings catches on among Orange County cities, the City Council will consider on Monday the format for its own meetings to maximize community participation.

“It will be on a trial-and-error basis for a while,” said Mayor Leslie Anne Pontious. “We’ll experiment with various formats and see which one will allow people to be more comfortable to come forward.”

Pontious said she favors a community-level meeting but that others in the council may prefer to have smaller and less formal meetings.

“I want it as informal as possible . . . like neighbors talking to neighbors,” said Councilman Jim Potts. “I don’t care if we just sit on chairs in a circle and people don’t talk on a microphone. An informal setting is important so people will not be afraid to talk.”

The first town hall meeting for the year is scheduled for Jan. 12 at the Tustin Area Center. The agenda will be discussed by the council Monday, Pontious said.

Town hall meetings have become increasingly popular among Orange County cities. The city of Brea has recently adopted the practice.

Newly elected Brea Mayor Burnie Dunlap has proposed to conduct town meetings in each of that city’s six elementary schools with the approval of the school district. The meetings will be limited to residents close to each school to allow for smaller gatherings.