Jim Paine--Superior, WI mayor--presided over a series of meetings this year in which the common council failed to select a council president after numerous votes and repeated requests for a secret ballot. He explains the dynamics behind the standoff and why the bad feelings seemed to boil over into this one decision. City Council Chronicles provide…

Carrie Tergin--Jefferson City, MO mayor--returns to critique the top 10 city council selfies from International #CityHallSelfie Day. Follow along at www.councilchronicles.com/selfie. Also, she discusses a contentious council meeting about potential charter changes and listens back to the council meeting hours before a natural disaster. City Council…

Warren Lieberman--Belmont, CA vice mayor--was around when the first class of Belmont second graders began their mock council meetings at city hall. He explains the logistics, the topics, and the obstacles. Plus, what are the advantages to postponing a council decision on controversial topics? City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council…

Casey Brown--Golden, CO mayor pro tem--was prepared to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections, despite concerns about their judgment and eating Tide Pods. Plus, when a large group of exasperated residents asked to temporarily halt new development, the Golden council happily obliged. City Council Chronicles provides review…

Rafael Espinoza--Denver, CO former councilman--discusses the shortfalls of his council, including the resistance to televised public comment and less-than-ideal meeting attendance. Then, he discusses how his thinking rapidly evolved on a large, divisive housing development that came before him for a vote. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of…

Nicole Johnston--Aurora, CO council member--attended a pro-immigrant rally at an ICE facility, where a small group of protesters vandalized an American flag. But that didn't stop one council member from publicly accusing his colleagues of unpatriotic behavior, leading to a tense council meeting. Plus, she describes the night that her council made a…

It's Christmas in July, which means it is only appropriate to take the holiday off and look back at our favorite interviews. This episode features Joseph Geierman, Jennifer Andress, and Christine Forster. Also, an update from the Listener's List and an excerpt of "Tear It Down." City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from…

Jon Wizard--Seaside, CA council member--sorts his fellow council members into their Hogwarts houses. Then, he discusses a council proposal to add members to a couple of advisory commissions and his own motion to endorse a controversial police use-of-force bill. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world.…

Jennifer Andress--Homewood, AL councilor--explains the painful decision to condemn a nuisance property and why Homewood committee meetings have no fixed schedule. Plus, an "S-Town" style trailer for this Alabama interview. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Infl…

Joseph Geierman--Doraville, GA Council Member--walks through the "council court" hearing that Doraville employed and resembled a trial more than a council meeting. Plus, he talks about the non-discrimination ordinance that appeared to generate confusion before being saved by a vote switch. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council me…

ABC's George Stephanopoulos spends 30 hours with Michael Karlik, peering into the mind of the podcast's creator and listening back to some of the best interviews. Includes segments featuring Eva Murray, Samba Baldeh, Barbara Simpson, Heidi Williams, and "Tear It Down." City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across th…

Kate Stewart--Takoma Park, MD mayor--recalls the saga of Takoma Junction, a small development that generated oversized outrage. We listen back to the arguments, the recall attempt, the cries for racial justice, and the inequity of abandoning the project when it had so many supporters. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meeting…

Barbara Simpson--Saint John, NB reporter--assuages fears that people will be wandering around Saint John with bows and arrows killing indiscriminately after the council allowed for a deer cull. Plus, an explanation of why councillors are sensitive to outsiders coming in to use Saint John's ice rinks. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city…

Samba Baldeh--Madison, WI alder--answers a crucial question: why does Madison call its council members "alders"? Then he discusses an emotional council meeting in which race and culture crept into a budgetary matter, as well as the police chief's accusatory blog post that declared a "pre-emptive first strike" on the council. City Council Chronicles…

Eva Murray--Glasgow, SCT councillor--describes the tickets that a person needs to come watch Glasgow council meetings, the strategy for council meeting question periods, and how it feels to be a new councillor saddled with the historical baggage of your party. Plus, she plays "Are They a Councillor?" City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city…

Ahmad Zahra--Fullerton, CA coucilmember--is a film producer and first-year council member whose first major decision was how to fill a vacant seat and who should fill it. He discusses how his thinking evolved and the "series of unfortunate events" that made it a tougher decision than one might expect. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of cit…

As Michael prepares for an audit, he plays some of his favorite episodes, reads from the Listener's List, and celebrates the one year anniversary of "Tear It Down" (www.tearitdownpodcast.com). Featuring excerpts from interviews with Ethan Baker, Emily LaDouceur, and Pat Martel. Plus, take the listener survey at www.councilchronicles.com/survey. Cit…

Emily LaDouceur--Berea, KY councilwoman--talks about the "hate group" that she sees as responsible for bullying and for pushing Christian-only invocations. She discusses her efforts to revise the city's ethics code to eliminate improper meetings and deter for future bad behavior. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings fro…

Davina Duerr--Bothell, WA deputy mayor--reveals the motivation for the new "council conversations" segment of Bothell's meetings. Then we discuss in depth the abrupt 2016 firing of the city manager and why it could not have happened with more transparency. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Name…

Ethan Baker--Troy, MI mayor pro tem--describes the series of events that culminated in the city manager's arrest and firing in 2018. That wasn't the end of it, however, as the community demanded the release of a confidential report about his prior behavior. We listen to the surprising vote that followed from the council. City Council Chronicles pro…

DeDreana Freeman--Durham, NC Council Member--describes her reaction to the council's slick new opening video and the city's "Durhamina" digital assistant. Plus, the uproar that ensued after accusations of anti-Semitism exploded in a council meeting. Is mentioning Israeli police training the same as demonizing the Jewish population? City Council Chr…

Rhashonna Cosby--Linden, NJ councilwoman--helps make sense of a chaotic and antagonistic council environment. She describes the power struggle and online harassment that hijack many council meetings and suggests spreading out the meetings to avoid escalating demands for information. (Listen to her podcast, "Real Talks for Real Life" here: https://s…

While Michael is away on Spring Break, we hear segments from some of our favorite interviews, including Kristerfer Burnett, Nancy Pearson, and Noah Hobbs. Plus, an excerpt from "Tear It Down" (www.tearitdownpodcast.com). City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influe…

Nancy Pearson--Portsmouth, NH councilor--helped pioneer a "public dialogue" in her council meetings. While it replaced some council meeting public comment sessions--and angered public commenters--she maintains that the dialogue has been a successful alternative. Plus, the case of the former council member who railed against closed-door meetings unt…

Luis Del Toro--Dubuque, IA council member--felt targeted by a council proposal to move up the start time of council meetings, which infringed upon his day job schedule. He talks about the philosophical divide on the Dubuque council and why he was the most frequent "no" vote during his first two years. Plus, should council meetings get rescheduled i…

Kristerfer Burnett--Baltimore, MD councilman--discusses early critiques of his young council and how council members have pushed back against some expectations. Plus, was the fire department targeting its enemies in a bizarre video sent to the council? And how did Baltimoreans feel about more mandatory minimum sentences? City Council Chronicles pro…

Adam Adkisson--Coalinga, CA council member--is new to the Coalinga council, yet has already encountered disgruntled residents itching to fight him. Moreover, negativity on Facebook has bled into the council meetings. It appears that things have gotten better--mostly after a restraining order. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council…

Nicole Bolden--Bloomington, IN city clerk--may not be part of the council, but she is certainly part of the council meetings. She talks about her onetime attempt at live tweeting a meeting, the freedom she gives her employees to speak to the council, and the play-by-play of a series of meetings about a controversial parking garage. City Council Chr…

It is the biggest night of the year! Michael Karlik addresses Congress about the tests and triumphs of city council meetings. There is a shout-out to another state of the city address and highlights from past interviews with Adam Paul, Eileen Weir, Mary Rita Holland, and Michael Brown. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetin…

Eileen Weir--Independence, MO mayor--was surprised when a sudden motion to eliminate city jobs hit the council floor this summer. We listen to what happened after that and read what the charter prescribes for this exact situation. Plus, she explains why her microphone is different from those of the other council members! City Council Chronicles pro…

Derek Green--Philadelphia, PA councilman--assures me that he pays attention to public comment, even if his colleagues do not. We hear the quirky traditions of the Philadelphia council and the fallout from naming a street after a controversial mayor. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "To…

Candice Quarles--DeSoto, TX councilwoman--reveals the tasty treats that council members receive before their meetings. Plus, we listen to how council members reacted to a crowded public hearing in which stereotypes about apartment-dwellers were on trial. Check out Candid with Candice at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdCQWeZ6znV2QGjJELPDVA. City…

Charlie Luke--Salt Lake City, UT council member--explains how the mayor's "question time" is a tradition of the SLC council that sometimes gets foiled. Plus, how did the council react to dozens of activists who were afraid of an increase in police officers? City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Nam…

Susan Moffitt--Clawson, MI councilmember--describes how the sudden enforcement of a decades-old chicken ordinance caused a furor and was emblematic of a larger discrepancy between rules and practice in Clawson. Plus, why is it important whether the new city manger thinks he can get along with people? City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city…

Mary Rita Holland--Kingston, ON councillor--discusses the hotbed of activity in her council: childcare at public meetings. A disturbing gesture by a colleague. Plus, an unconventional "protest" of a lengthy council meeting that turned out to be unwise. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a …

Tom Lisi--Decatur, IL reporter--walks us through two narrow votes that surprised council watchers: a last-minute decision to yank a golf tournament's funding and the defeat of a second ambulance permit. Plus, we talk about the council member who surprises his colleagues with last-minute amendments. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city c…

While Michael celebrates being named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer," the interns have to work on Christmas Day. Subsequently, three ghosts visit the studio and show Michael the error of his ways. Interview segments featuring Jyoti Gondek, Joe Mihevc, Andrea Jenkins, and Christina Romelus. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city co…

Christina Romelus--Boynton Beach, FL vice mayor--gives us a window into the "Pirate Fest" (and her pirate accent!) and explains what happened when a discussion about protecting immigrants in South Florida turned into a Trump rally and police escort home. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named …

Alexa Loo--Richmond, BC councillor--gives us a farmhouse tour! Specifically, we find out why large farmhouses dominated the Richmond council for multiple years and what role race may have played in the tug-of-war. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" i…

Joe Mihevc--former Toronto, ON councilor--walks through the last three months of the Toronto council, in which the province suddenly and unilaterally cut the number of council seats in the middle of a municipal election. He explains the "Hunger Games" goal of the premier and the two types of approaches to being a councillor under a shrunken body. C…

John D'Amico--West Hollywood, CA mayor pro tem--introduced a resolution to oppose Donald Trump's star on the Walk of Fame. We hear from that heated public comment period and about the amicable phone calls he had with two conservatives as a result. Plus, we discuss the elimination of the troubled "deputy" program. City Council Chronicles provides re…

Andrea Jenkins--Minneapolis, MN council vice president--explains why a race equity training occurred in a council meeting earlier this year, and why some council members felt uncomfortable sharing their personal experiences. Then we discuss a controversial charter amendment that may have been the product of "privilege." City Council Chronicles prov…

It was Election Day last week for city councils across the country, which means we have updates on the hottest races! Plus, we revisit interview segments featuring Rich Tran, Raj Salwan, Anne Watson, Nancy LaRoche, and Tucker Pollng. Special California update with Robb Korinke of californiacitynews.org. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of c…

Anne Watson--Montpelier, VT mayor--defends her council's omission of the Pledge of Allegiance from the meetings and explains why high schoolers show up to speak to the council every year. Plus, we review a contentious meeting from this year that incensed the residents of District 2. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings …

Jyoti Gondek--Calgary, AB councillor--has seen her council wrestle with the way it conducts closed door meetings. Who leaked confidential materials? Is anyone getting bullied? And by the way, is it a good idea to shine a light on councillors' attendance? Listen to the arguments and draw your own conclusions. City Council Chronicles provides reviews…

Heidi Williams--Thornton, CO mayor--discusses why her council rejected prayer and a moment of silence, only to have one of her frequent public commenters initiate a moment of silence on their own! Plus, we talk about her frustrations with NIMBYs and the possibility of getting council videos stored for longer than a year. City Council Chronicles pro…

Jerod MacDonald-Evoy--Tempe, AZ reporter for "The Arizona Republic"--was a trendsetter with his purchase of the "Tempe Tie." He was in the room during highly controversial moments of the past year, including a border wall resolution, a disciplinary proposal, and a car wash. Plus, he takes my "fake news" test! City Council Chronicles provides review…

Rich Tran--Milpitas, CA mayor--is a huge fan of Barack Obama's, and that fandom landed him in some hot water after his inaugural speech. He talks about why it is unfortunate that his council members adopted a censure policy and how he battled his city attorney over what he could talk about in a public meeting. City Council Chronicles provides revie…

Raj Salwan--Fremont, CA councilmember--explains the complicated and occasionally fluid process of appointing members to his council. Then we discuss the vote from two years ago that still gives Fremont heartburn. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in…

Tucker Poling--Prairie Village, KS council member--boldly moved to rearrange the council meetings right away, and he explains why some people resisted. Then, we move on to the bizarre past couple of weeks in which half of the council failed to show up for his anti-discrimination ordinance--and that was on the heels of ANOTHER anti-discrimination me…