For many, the cost of parking downtown is indeed prohibitive, amounting to what some call a modern-day “poll tax” on civic participation. But this isn’t just an Atlanta problem; it’s a national one. Most city councils meet during the business day. One exception is Dallas, Ga.: It schedules evening meetings, but they begin at 5:15 p.m. — just as residents are trying to get home from work.
The daytime-meeting tradition is a relic of another era, when electricity and transportation were unreliable and public input wasn’t valued. That “citizen-legislator” model favored retirees or wealthy businessmen who preferred conducting business early in the day. Those days are long gone. Today’s governing bodies reflect a far more diverse mix of people and professions.
When Lewis asked what more he could do beyond free parking, I encouraged him to think bigger — about access in every sense. If parking is a barrier, perhaps the meeting time is too. Atlanta’s council meets at 1 p.m. twice a month and public comment comes at the start of the meeting, right when most working residents are on the job. Why not hold at least one of the monthly meetings in the evening? Even better, rotate meetings through neighborhoods across the city. With 12 council districts, each community could host a meeting annually, bringing government to the people instead of forcing the people to come downtown.
Another effective solution is to build on modern electronic-government tools. Virtual and hybrid meetings providing two-way communication can make democracy more participatory and inclusive. The National League of Cities has reported that many localities have benefited from virtual meeting options that provide a more user-friendly interface, expanding accessibility through live captioning, translation services and flexibility for both residents and council members.
Some cities, including Austin, Texas; Denver, Colo.; and Lowell, Mass., have set a high bar. They publish clear instructions online about how and when residents can participate, provide technical guidance for optimal video and sound quality, and archive their meetings on platforms like YouTube for easy later access. They also ensure inclusivity through compatibility with screen readers that convert online text and images into speech, American Sign Language interpretation and real-time translation for non-English-speaking communities. Their digital platforms allow citizen participation in their meetings in real time, eliminating parking as a barrier altogether.
Surveying residents to learn how council and commission meetings can be more accessible is an important next step. Each community has its own needs and preferences, and the best solutions often come directly from the people most affected. Back in 2015, Austin surveyed residents and found strong support for weekend meetings. The city still schedules its council meetings for weekdays, but including occasional Saturday sessions would make it easier for more working people to attend, participate and share their perspectives.
Some may argue that such changes are impractical. Sure, electronic voting might not work outside City Hall, and some community facilities might lack adequate Internet bandwidth. But these are not reasons for inaction; they are reminders of where to invest next. Expanding broadband access and upgrading community facilities are part of the same democratic mission: ensuring that every resident, regardless of income or ZIP code, can see, hear and be heard by their government.
Atlanta and cities like it have made great strides in digitizing services and improving online access. The next step is making government meetings physically and practically accessible. Free parking is a start, but true accessibility means reimagining how, when and where democracy happens.
Governing’s opinion columns reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Governing’s editors or management.
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