Will the sequel be as good after this Bryan city council drama?

The Bryan council meeting of July 29 broke down into personal attacks, all over the proposed change to city law that would mean at least three council members would have to sign off on an item being placed on council agenda.

A second reading of the ordinance will take place Tuesday, and a majority vote will make it the new law. The first reading passed during that now-infamous meeting by a 5-2 vote.

Those opposed to the change -- Councilmen Mike Southerland and Al Saenz -- said it was stifling citizen speech, while the majority said staff and council time was being wasted under the current system, especially by Southerland.

As of now, the second reading is listed under the statutory agenda, meaning there will be no discussion on the topic unless the council chooses to do so.

A number of citizens showed up to the original meeting, but after an executive session that ran long, many had to leave the meeting (which officially started at 8 a.m.) before the closed door portion ended.

Those who did speak asked that the item be tabled until an evening meeting could take place, though most of the speakers said they were opposed to the ordinance.

Saenz originally motioned to deny the ordinance change, but that was voted down in a 2-5 vote. The council then voted 5-2 in favor of the change. That first reading's approval put the second reading on the agenda for Tuesday.

Currently, it takes two council members in Bryan to place an item on an agenda. In College Station, it takes four.