THOUSAND OAKS : Later Start Time Proposed for Council

Saying his work schedule as a Compton homicide detective will cause a conflict, Thousand Oaks’ newest city councilman, Mike Markey, wants to start council meetings an hour later, beginning in two weeks.

Markey will ask other council members Tuesday to approve the proposed change from a 5 p.m. start time to 6.

The detective drives to Compton every day, and he said it is difficult for him to be back in Thousand Oaks in time for the meeting.

Councilwoman Elois Zeanah, who instituted the 5 p.m. start time when she became mayor in the fall of 1993, said she is willing to work with Markey’s schedule.

But she worries that a later starting time will make the already lengthy meetings drag on past midnight on a regular basis.

“I would love to accommodate him if we can be assured we can streamline our meetings better than we have in the past,” Zeanah said.

She suggested that the council could stack committee reports and other items that do not require a vote at the beginning of the agenda, proceeding with non-crucial business until Markey arrives at 6 p.m.

“Otherwise we’re going to have to change our habits and start talking less,” Zeanah said.