Charter Review Committee adopts 5‑minute public‑comment rule, designates chair and vice chair as official spokespeople

The Charter Review Committee voted on procedures and communications at its May 15 meeting, approving a motion to allow public comment at the start of meetings with a five‑minute time limit and later designating the chair and vice chair as the committee’s official spokespeople for committee statements.

The committee agreed that the public comment period would occur at the beginning of meetings and that each speaker’s comments should be limited to five minutes (questions by committee members could follow). The clerk confirmed the motion passed by unanimous vote.

Separately, the committee adopted a motion to designate the chair and the vice chair as the committee’s official spokespersons for formal committee statements; members retained the right to speak individually to the media as private citizens. The motion passed by a recorded vote of 9–1; the clerk recorded one no vote (Miss Bacchus).

Interim city attorney Jim Plunkett circulated a draft of the Augusta Commission rules of procedure adapted for the charter committee; he said he removed items not relevant to the advisory body and would circulate the adapted draft to the clerk for distribution. Plunkett also said the clerk would post consultant files (including the highlighted charter draft and demographic maps) to the committee web page once received.

The committee also accepted May 1 meeting minutes (motion by Commissioner Coleman, seconded by Commissioner Powell), and the chair confirmed the agenda for the next session: a May 29 meeting focused on committee goals and concerns and review of consultant materials.

Ending: The committee adjourned by unanimous motion after confirming the May 29 meeting. Posted materials and the adapted procedural draft will be made available through the clerk’s website for public review before the next session.