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Council restores public‑hearing speaker time to five minutes after debate
Summary
After debate and an amendment, Bloomington City Council voted to retain five‑minute speaker times for public hearings rather than reducing them to three minutes as proposed in a procedural update.
The Bloomington City Council on March 17 adopted updates to its meeting procedures, including an amendment that retains a five‑minute time limit for speakers during public hearings.
Council had before it a broader package to amend council meeting rules and listening session guidelines; one proposed change reduced the per‑speaker public‑hearing time from five minutes to three. Council member Lohmann moved to remove that change and keep the five‑minute limit; after debate and an amendment process, the council approved the amendment and then passed the main motion to adopt the updated rules. The amendment vote was 3 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention, after which the full procedures package passed on a 6‑0 vote.
Council members discussed whether the change was substantive enough to require further amendment or to be held for later consideration; several members expressed a preference for preserving adequate time for public testimony. Council member Nelson clarified that the adopted rules would not preclude future public comment opportunities tied to budget discussions.
The resolution to amend council meeting procedures was adopted as item 3.10 in the packet.
