Meg McGrath Smith, chair of the Turner Rules Committee, opened discussion Tuesday on a 2024 order from Councilor Patty Devine proposing a change to committee rules that would limit councilors to four minutes of speaking during debate with a one-minute reminder at the three-minute mark.

The proposal drew sharp debate. Devine said the rule was intended to shorten meetings and respond to public complaints that some members speak “much too long.” Councilors who opposed the change said limiting speaking time risked curbing members’ ability to respond to personal attacks and to fully vet complex issues. Councilor Linda Bacon said the timing felt aimed at an individual and warned of censorship during an election cycle; others pointed to existing rules and enforcement problems.

Several speakers urged alternatives. Councilor Kevin Jourdain and others said the committee should enforce the existing 10:00 meeting-cap and other procedural limits before adopting a new per-speaker cap. Some members suggested a higher cap (8–10 minutes) for substantive items. Councilor Durden recommended postponing major rule changes until the new council takes office in January so incoming members can weigh in.

After debate, Councilor Devine renewed a motion to table the order. The committee seconded the motion and approved tabling. The tabling preserves the order in the committee jacket per current practice unless the maker requests otherwise.

The action leaves the existing rules in place while the committee considers enforcement and possible broader rule revisions at a later date.