Council debates public‑comment placement, meeting start times and decorum; seeks memo to correct recurring misinformation

Councilors discussed changes to meeting structure, public‑comment timing and decorum after a strategic planning session identified citizen mistrust and recurring misinformation as obstacles to constructive civic engagement.

Members described two core suggestions: 1) allow comment tied to specific work‑session items early in a meeting while moving general public comment to the end of the regular session, and 2) develop concise factual memos the city can publish to correct repeated inaccuracies (for example, claims circulating about water bill increases). “If we can dispel that, then we should do that for them,” one councilor said of the proposed memo approach.

Councilors and staff discussed operational options to limit the effect of long comment periods — for example, fixed public‑comment windows, a first‑come first‑served sign‑in and a half‑hour cap unless council votes to extend. Several councilors suggested a strict three‑minute limit enforced by a visible timer or buzzer. City legal counsel advised that public comment timing and placement are permissible to set by council and that the city can adopt decorum rules and expectations, and that the League of Oregon Cities provides guidance for those rules.

Councilors asked staff to compile suggestions and sample decorum rules for future action, consult the League for model language, and explore posting short factual responses on the city website after meetings to correct persistent misinformation. No formal ordinance or resolution was adopted; councilors indicated they will try adjusted procedures and evaluate performance.