Is time set aside during church for the local city officials to discuss city business?
Not in my church. Ask the black churches though. I believe there is quite a history of mixing politics and church. Prayer, however, is not mixing religion and government for the reason I stated in my original post.
Again, I have no problem with sectarian prayers in public meetings so long as the opportunity to say such prayers is offered to anyone or group who requests it in an even-handed manner. And if atheists wish to invoke whatever higher power they recognize to bless a public gathering, I have no problem with it.