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Council approves public comment policy for standing committees and task forces with change to microphone rule
Summary
Council adopted a public comment policy for standing committee and task force meetings, amending the microphone requirement so speakers must use a microphone only if one is available (to accommodate rooms without mics and virtual attendees).
The Verona Common Council approved a public comment policy for standing committees and task force meetings and amended the policy to clarify how speakers should use microphones and materials during public comment.
The policy is based on the city’s public comment ordinance that applies to common council meetings but extends speaking opportunities to standing committees and task forces, allowing five minutes per speaker on any topic. Council discussion focused on technology and fairness: materials handed to committee members must be viewable simultaneously by virtual attendees under the public meetings law.
Alderman Tucker Long moved the amended policy; the final paragraph was revised so that during public comment the speaker “must speak into a microphone if a microphone is available.” The council also agreed to change a definition so that a camera “captures or conveys” a live image instead of saying it “projects” a live image.
Attorney Kleinmeyer advised that any materials shown to the committee must be viewable by virtual attendees at the same time the committee sees them. Council members said that in rooms equipped with conference technology, speakers may plug in laptops or otherwise present materials so remote participants can view them simultaneously.
The motion to adopt the public comment policy, as amended, passed by voice vote.
