Allright, here we go again

I just recieved an e-mail from the city containing the City Council meeting notes for next week, July 5th.

Pretty much what you would expect from a meeting held the day after a holiday, with the exception of 2 things:

1 -
9. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES
AND RESOLUTIONS:
a. A resolution abolishing the Flood Plain Committee.

Ok, what? What do you mean abolishing, and why?
I'd like an explination...

and 2) During a joint meeting with the City Planning Comission, this note:
Implementation report for Vision 2001 -2020 Comprehensive
Plan.

Now I think that should be a matter of public record, and open to the public. Except its at Noon, the City Council meeting is at 2pm - both of which even if they were open to public debate (which the meeting is, natch) is still inconvient for those of us who wish to sit in/speak, and who the policies discussed would affect.

Roanoke is a digital city, with most city offices, offerings, notes, and documents laid bare upon the internet. For a city so open, why are the council meetings set for times which are inconvient for 3/4ths of the people? Could it have to do with keeping the attendance at the meetings minimal, therefore eliminating the possiblity the public having a say?

If the meetings are not convient for the public, then how is it an open government?

Even if only a monthly "town hall" style meeting was held, it would still show some effort on the part of the council to include those whom they purport to "serve."

Im only 1000 feet away from being a city resident, but sometimes that seems like the widest gap around.