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Coos Bay livability committee to collect public topics by email, to draft mission statement next meeting
Summary
The committee agreed to use administrative email and written forms to collect public ideas and to draft a mission statement before changing its public comment process.
The Coos Bay Livability Committee agreed to collect public suggestions via the city’s administrative channels and to develop a written mission statement at the next meeting before changing its public comment practices.
Members said the committee’s one-hour meeting length and members’ work schedules make an open public-comment period difficult to manage. The group discussed three options: (1) limited public comment at the end of meetings, (2) routing public topic requests through city administrative staff and email, and (3) holding larger public comment sessions periodically. The committee decided to try the administrative collection option first and review results at the next meeting.
Several members emphasized that public input helps staff and council understand community priorities. “Anything that we would do in a public comment period would have to be … focused,” said Stephanie Kilmer, City Councilor (online). Members recommended that when public input is solicited, it include suggested solutions or priorities to make discussion productive.
Committee members also asked staff to ensure access for residents who lack internet access. Christine Sylvester, City staff, said in response that in-person visitors to City Hall can be offered a written form and that staff can accept calls to record comments for submission.
The committee set two action items tied to the decision: staff will publicize how to submit topics (email, written form or phone) and the committee will draft and agree a mission statement at the next meeting to guide future agenda planning and public engagement. Members identified several future topic areas for outreach and possible presentations, including public transportation, park parking and camping locations, and outreach focused on marginalized communities.
Committee members closed the item by asking staff to compile incoming topics for review before the next meeting so the committee can prioritize which items to address.
