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Decatur council limits public comment during work sessions as residents press police oversight
Summary
The Decatur City presiding officer announced a new rule ending public comment at council work sessions and set stricter limits for formal meetings; the change drew forceful public reaction focused on police conduct and calls for a civilian oversight board.
The presiding officer of the Decatur City Council announced that public comments will no longer be allowed during council work sessions and outlined new limits for formal council meetings, drawing strong objections from residents who said the change undermines public accountability and called for police oversight reforms.
Councilmember Jacob, the presiding officer, told the meeting that “there will be no public comment period during work sessions,” saying the sessions are intended for council and staff discussion and that public comment will continue at formal meetings under the existing structure. He cited the Alabama Open Meetings Act while explaining that the law guarantees the public the right to attend meetings but does not…
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