Council Meetings 2.0: Solutions for a Smoother Experience

There’s something oddly fascinating about watching a council meeting unfold in real time—especially when you're sitting in the audience, pondering whether you will be in that fray yourself someday. After some gentle coaxing and more than a few hints from my Team Beach running mates EJ and Cathy, I was off to attend my first Council meeting at Borough Hall. Normally, I watch these meetings via the Town’s YouTube Channel, comfortably tucked away at home. But last night, as I stepped into the harsh fluorescent light of reality, I found myself thinking: 'Surely there is a way to make this experience better for everyone involved?’

I’d like to start by acknowledging how tough it is to put yourself out there in public service, whether on the Council, employed by the Borough, or even volunteering on a committee. For these folks it’s not just about making decisions, they must listen to a wide range of passionate, and sometimes opposing, viewpoints, all while staying calm and collected. Whether you’re already on the council or running for a seat like I am with EJ Geiger and Cathy Sogorka, it’s clear that balancing the needs of the community, the complexities of policy, and the pressure of making the right call is no easy task. That said, there are a few ways we could make these meetings more accessible, efficient, and productive for everyone—council members, employees, and residents alike.

Let’s Talk Tech

The first thing that I’ll mention, ironically was not rom last night's meeting, but from the YouTube live stream I would normally watch from home. It’s truly awesome that residents can tune in to the live streams, but the high-pitched feedback and technical glitches make it almost unwatchable. And after the meeting is over, good luck finding it again. The streams aren’t organized in a way that makes it easy to track down specific meetings or topics. A simple fix? We could organize the streams into playlists by date or topic, add clear titles that highlight key agenda items, and include timestamps for the major discussions. Even better, we could use YouTube’s chapters feature to let viewers jump right to the parts they care about most. Small changes, big differences.

Other towns, like Princeton, have implemented smooth, accessible live streams where residents can participate from home by submitting questions ahead of time or in real-time. We could explore using similar software or platforms to make our meetings more engaging and efficient. A small investment in better audio-visual equipment—clear mics, organized streaming, and maybe even an option for live interaction—would go a long way. Let’s make it easy for people to follow along without having to put their hearing at risk.

More Voices, Not Fewer

Some might worry that making it easier to participate remotely would mean fewer people showing up in person. But in reality, this would likely give even more people a chance to be heard, especially those who can’t always make it to the meetings— caregivers, people with demanding jobs, seniors who don’t like driving at night. By allowing residents to participate from home, we ensure everyone has a voice. For those who do attend in person, this system could actually free up more time. If more questions are submitted from home, then there will be less people waiting for the microphone to ask one in person.

Structured Public Participation

This isn’t about blaming anyone. The reality is, council meetings are complex, and making things run smoothly is no small task. But it’s also not impossible. A more structured format—where detailed questions that may require pulling files or records are submitted in advance and the more straightforward, easy-to-answer questions are handled live—would make things more efficient for council members and residents alike.

And while we’re talking solutions, let’s give a shout-out to the unsung heroes behind the scenes: Borough Administrator Christine Riehl, Borough Attorney Michael Collins and Borough Clerk Eileen Farrell. These three have their hands full keeping things running, from fielding questions and explaining the details to ensuring every decision is legally sound. If there’s anyone in the room making sure the council can focus on the important stuff, it’s one of them.

Bringing in the Next Generation

I’d like to end this post by sharing some exciting news. The next generation is stepping up, and I had the honor of meeting two new interns, Celia and Matilda, from Point Pleasant Beach High School, who are eager to learn about local government. These students are our future, and it’s incredible to see them getting involved at such a young age. In fact, if anyone’s going to fix that YouTube feedback issue, it’s probably going to be them!