MANKATO — The Mankato City Council has set an Aug. 13 public hearing to discuss a resolution either supporting or opposing the proposed constiutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The 4-to-2 vote came after about 20 minutes of procedural discussion about whether there would be debate about the measure to set a public hearing.
Councilman Jack Considine said it's been past practice to set a hearing at the request of council members, even if they're not a majority, and not debate the setting of the hearing.
A motion to end debate failed, but Mayor Eric Anderson said he didn't want to change the council's practice, and acceded to Considine's request.
The vote was taken immediately. Voting against were Anderson and Councilman Mark Frost. Councilman Charlie Hurd abstained in an effort to show that the issue shouldn't be council business at all.


