By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is returning to holding open houses on Fridays before city council meetings.

Renner began the open houses when he became mayor five years ago. He said he switched to one-on-one appointments about six months ago to accommodate everyone who wanted to address issues, but individual meetings did not work as well as the town hall style.

Renner said the public comment period during council meetings is not the way to have questions answered.

“If they really want answers to questions or really want to engage in public dialogue, that’s the place to do it,” Renner said. “We don’t respond to public comment during the actual (council) meeting. That’s usually just an opportunity for people to sound off.”

Renner said the open houses help citizens and leaders.

“It’s an educational process for the residents and an educational process for me and the city manager,” Renner said. “(Interim) City Manager Steve Rasmussen usually sits in on these.”

The open houses are from 4:30 to 5:30 on Friday afternoons before council meetings in the Bloomington City Hall “fishbowl” room.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].