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Alpharetta Development Authority adopts public comment policy for meetings
Summary
The authority adopted a new public participation policy establishing a single public-comment period at the start of meetings, three minutes per speaker and a 15-minute default total, extendable by quorum vote.
The Alpharetta Development Authority on Tuesday adopted formal rules to allow public comment at its meetings, adding a single public-comment period at the beginning of the agenda.
Under the adopted policy, each speaker may address the authority for up to three minutes, and the total default public-comment period is 15 minutes. The authority may extend that period by vote of a quorum. The policy does not require a back-and-forth exchange during the public comment period; staff recommended directing questions to staff after the meeting for follow-up.
Why it matters: The policy creates a standard opportunity for residents and other members of the public to address the authority about its work or potential projects. The authority cited instances in recent months when members of the public sought to speak and no formal mechanism existed.
Staff and counsel told the authority the policy was intentionally simple and flexible. Counsel noted the authority could have limited public comment to items on the agenda but that the draft policy did not impose that restriction. Counsel recommended that, when questions require answers, the chair may direct speakers to follow up with staff after the meeting and staff can then convey information to the authority.
The authority approved the policy by vote; no amendments were recorded during the meeting. The policy will be included in future agendas and staff said it could be amended later if needed.
