Resident says Laurens City agenda postings limit public comment; city cites FOIA compliance

Ethan Anderson, who signed up to speak during the meeting's public-participation period, told the Laurens City Council the city's agenda-posting and sign-up procedures limit residents' ability to address council on matters of concern.

"As a citizen of Laurens City, I speak plainly. Our town is changing in ways that are deeply concerning and people deserve answers before deals are" Anderson said, urging more timely publication of agenda items and criticizing the sign-up deadline as a barrier for working residents.

City leaders replied that Laurens posts agendas in compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The mayor said agendas are typically posted the prior week, and that the city posts the agenda and publishes it in the local press; sign-up for public comment must be submitted 24 hours before the meeting, which the city implements consistently. The mayor added, "the city has complied with the requirements of the law of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act," and offered to meet with Anderson and the city administrator to hear his concerns.

Anderson also cited the city's sign-up sheet language that regular city meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month and that requests to be included on the council agenda must be received by the city administrator or city clerk no later than the Friday before the meeting. He told council that, under that schedule, citizens who plan time off to attend could be excluded when agenda items are finalized later.

The mayor said staff try to be fair and consistent and invited Anderson to meet after the meeting for further discussion.