One month after new Roanoke Mayor David Bowers proposed a set of procedural changes for the city council, he appears to be stepping back a bit.

During the Roanoke City Council's meeting on Monday, Bowers suggested the council take up his proposed changes -- which include the elimination of a requirement for speakers to preregister before meetings, increasing the length of time for speakers to five minutes and eliminating the lectern -- at a retreat sometime in late September.

Bowers said that while he intended the changes to provide more of a "friendly face to our citizens," he may have proposed fixing some things that weren't broken.

"Some of the procedures that I thought weren't working, I've got to tell you: I've got a little crow to eat, because they do work," Bowers said.

He said he thought that the new council had set a good tone for openness so far.

"I want to say to the public that every member of this council is dedicated to the proposition of more friendly and open government, and I can say that in all honesty."

Councilwoman Gwen Mason seconded that.

"There is a friendly tone on this council," Mason said. "There's a willingness to work together on this council. We may be disappointing people in the community or the media who expected more fireworks and boxing matches, but that's just not what this council is going to be like."

Mason said that some of Bowers' proposals should be discussed at the retreat.

It's still unclear where the retreat will be held. It's tentatively set for Sept. 30.

Taxicab companies' rate increase far less than they had wanted

The Roanoke City Council voted unanimously Monday to raise taxi fares.

The rates will increase 8.9 percent for an average three-mile trip. That's less than the 16 percent increase that been requested by Roanoke's two cab services, Yellow Cab and Quality Cab Co. Company representatives said the increase was necessary to offset the rising cost of doing business -- particularly the cost of gasoline.

But Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham recommended the smaller increase after researching rates in the seven other Virginia cities that regulate taxi fares.