Niagara Falls council narrows public-speaking format after heated public comment

The Niagara Falls City Council on March 26 approved changes to its special rules of order governing public speakers after extended public comment and council debate. The council voted 4-1 to adopt an amended version of the measure, which limits how speakers must identify topics and clarifies the chairperson’s authority to enforce the rules.

Supporters and opponents said the change matters because it affects how residents will present concerns at future meetings. Diane Tattersall, a lifelong city resident who spoke during the public comment period, said she supported item 9 and the effort to restore “some dignity and order to these meetings.” Opponents Warned the revisions could narrow opportunity for public participation: Sean Mack told the council, “Let’s reject this attack on free speech and keep democracy alive in this chamber.”

The council’s final amendments struck the last eight words of proposed rule 2 so speakers may sign in “to speak on a specific legislative agenda item and or for the good of the community.” The council replaced proposed rule 4 with new language requiring that speakers introduce themselves and “identify between 1 and 2 specific agenda items they will speak on.” The body also removed a proposed rule 12 and renumbered the remaining rules; the new rule 12 reads, “The chairperson will enforce all the rules and will maintain order.”

Council members said the changes were intended to reduce interruptions and keep meetings on-topic while preserving residents’ ability to raise local problems. Cherish Bills, a regular attendee who described meetings in nearby municipalities that use Robert’s Rules successfully, urged the council to “enforce the current rules, lead by example, recognize and acknowledge the frustration, determine what the root causes are, and address it,” and warned that harsher rules alone “will only add gasoline to what is a very flammable environment.”

Council member Brian Archie moved the amendment; Council member David Zajac seconded it. A roll call after amendment and debate showed votes in favor from Council members Archie, Banks, Zajac and Chairperson Perry; Council member Myers voted no. The amended rules took effect immediately.

Council leaders said they would publish the revised text and that staff would provide a written version of the precise edits. The item concluded a meeting that included multiple other legislative votes and a lengthy public comment period during which speakers raised concerns ranging from short-term rental enforcement to park funding.