Council tables proposal to broaden public comment rules to allow broader public participation

The City Council on Sept. 9 voted to table a second‑reading ordinance that would remove some restrictions on who may speak during the council’s public‑comment period.

Mayor Pro Tem Linda Becker Pritchett sponsored the ordinance, which would have altered section 1‑3002 of the council’s public‑participation rules to expand comment opportunities beyond the current limits tied to residency, business ownership or county/state elected‑official status. The ordinance also included a provision allowing the council, by four affirmative votes, to close or limit public participation when it becomes disruptive.

Council members debated whether existing municipal procedure — and the charter’s prior vote history — required special handling. City staff and the city attorney advised the council that legislation may be brought back by a member who was not on the prevailing side of a prior vote; council members also asked for a written legal opinion about permitting city employees to speak during general public comment and about operational guardrails.

On a substitute motion to table for further review, council voted 6–1 to postpone action to the next regular meeting so staff and legal counsel can provide a clearer opinion and a finalized ordinance text. The city clerk said the ordinance language had been available in the legislative portal but that a final printed supplement with the latest edits was not in the meeting packet; councilmembers asked for corrected text and a staff legal opinion before returning to the measure.

Supporters of broader comment rules framed the change as a transparency and civic‑engagement improvement; opponents raised concerns about disorder, repetitive or abusive commentary and the need to protect staff and council from harassment. Council members also discussed whether existing avenues such as public hearings and permitting processes already allow residents to address specific issues.

Next steps: the ordinance will return with clarified language and a written legal opinion addressing employee participation and other operational issues.