Several Longmont residents used the council's public-comment period Aug. 26 to press city officials on decisions about smart meters, ADA accommodation denials and appeals they say were unfair.

Who spoke and why: Susan Foster, who identified herself as a medical writer and longtime advocate, told council she had applied for an ADA accommodation to retain an analog meter in her home after she said wireless devices harm her mobility and cardiac function. Foster said she was denied by Longmont Power & Communications staff and that a hearing officer upheld that denial on Aug. 13. "I applied for ADA accommodation not because I'm EMR sensitive," Foster said during public comment, adding that she sought accommodation for impaired major life functions. Several others spoke on Foster's behalf and described the same appeal process.

Other appellants described procedural concerns. Rosanna Jenny said expert witnesses were excluded from an appeals hearing and argued that the hearing officer and city attorney improperly limited evidence. "My due process rights and, most significantly, my state and federal disability rights were violated," Jenny told the council. Doe Kelly and Linda Lee echoed claims that expert testimony and letters were excluded and that the appeals process failed to consider evidence presented.

Zoe Galloway told council she had experienced prolonged homelessness she attributes to the smart-meter rollout and that she needs a disability modification "within the next week" to avoid further harm. "I have experienced 370 days of homelessness because of the smart meter and Longmont Power and Communications refusal to permit me my disability modification," Galloway said. She urged the city to remove discriminatory surcharges and to return nearby neighbor meters to AMR meters for her safety.

What officials said in response: City staff present at the meeting included references to the administrative appeal process (hearing officer Brian Luther) and Longmont Power & Communications staff (Darrell/Daryl Hahn). City attorney Jamie Roth was named during public comments as participating in appeal proceedings; hearing officer Luther's denial letters were described as issued on Aug. 23. Council did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting.

Requests to council: Speakers asked the council to (1) add an analog opt-out option to city code, (2) open an independent investigation into the conduct of city legal staff and hearing officers in the appeal process, and (3) direct Longmont Power & Communications to approve individual analog-meter accommodations where medical experts recommend them.

What was not decided: Council did not vote, issue direction to staff, or change policy during the Aug. 26 meeting. The comments were recorded on the public record and will inform future council and staff conversations.