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Council leans to option allowing slides but not video for public-comment materials; directs staff to revise guidelines
Summary
Staff presented proposed guidelines for public comment at regular meetings and asked the council to choose among options for topical limits, group participation and electronic materials; council favored Option 2 (broad topic scope; slides/photos allowed but not videos) with clarifying edits and asked staff to return revised materials.
Town staff presented draft public-comment guidelines for regular meetings and described options for topic limits, group presentation rules, time limits and whether and how electronic materials (slides, photos, video) can accompany speakers. Nathan (staff) explained three approaches ranging from permitting only agenda topics and slides to a more permissive option allowing video accompaniment.
Council direction: After discussion about the value of slides and the risks of videos (technical security, corrupt files, longer playback during speaker time), commissioners agreed they preferred Option 2: permit slides, photos and electronic materials submitted in advance (with an IT review deadline) but prohibit playing video during public comment at the dais. They also discussed time limits and said the 30-minute suggestion should be discretionary and that they would prefer an hourly option if necessary; staff will revise the draft accordingly.
Why it matters: The guidelines would standardize public-comment procedures, balance transparency and security for electronic materials, and preserve the chair’s discretion to maintain order while ensuring a minimum public-comment period when many citizens sign up.
Next steps: Staff will update the guideline draft to reflect the council’s direction (Option 2 with edits to clarify submission and posting procedures) and return the revised policy for formal adoption. Staff noted that electronic submissions are public records and must be processed by IT by the Friday before a meeting to clear security checks.
