The new City Council term started cordially enough, but it appears at least one issue is brewing among the members -- how often to meet.

The council typically meets the first four Tuesdays of each month, meaning there are a handful of fifth Tuesdays each year members get to spend at home. The council unanimously selected Tom Smith, R-1st, as president.

Smith has previously tried to use these extra Tuesdays to hold big-issue discussions, but they were unpopular with some members. In fact, one member previously said Smith’s selection to lead was based on leaving those extra Tuesdays free from council work.

During the council’s organizational meeting, however, Smith said after he was elected president that he would like to use some of the fifth Tuesdays for larger discussions, possibly on how to use the money from the lease and sale of the city’s electric utility.

Smith got one early supporter, with newly elected Councilman Russ Jehl, R-2nd, calling fifth Tuesdays a “wonderful opportunity” to explore larger topics.

The first such Tuesday comes at the end of this month.