Mayor Pro Tem Clinton proposes changes to citizen comment time regulations

The Grand Prairie City Council convened on June 17, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including procedural clarifications and appointments. The meeting began with a review of the consent agenda, during which it was noted that two provisional votes from Tarrant County had been rejected due to the individuals not being registered voters.

Following this, Mayor Pro Tem Clinton was requested to make a motion regarding appointments, specifically for Junior Zanu and Kirk Johnson as deputy mayor pro tems. The council expressed support for these appointments.

A significant discussion arose concerning the speaking time allotted to citizens during meetings. It was revealed that the city charter does not explicitly state that every speaker is entitled to five minutes for any item. Instead, it specifies that individuals have five minutes to speak on items designated for council discussion. The council acknowledged the need for flexibility in this area, suggesting that the chair should have discretion to extend speaking time when appropriate, without allowing excessive durations.

The council members agreed to further discuss and refine the rules regarding speaking times, particularly for consent items, which typically do not involve council discussion. The meeting concluded with a commitment to clarify these procedures in future sessions, ensuring that citizen comments are adequately addressed while maintaining order during discussions.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's ongoing efforts to improve communication and procedural clarity within the framework of city governance.