Lacey advisory board highlights new public-comment rules after 2024 disruptions; approves agenda and minutes

The Lehi 1 Board of the City of Lacey reviewed updates to its advisory board handbook regarding public comment, public hearings and meeting disruptions and unanimously approved the meeting agenda and minutes at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Alyssa, a City of Lacey staff member, told the board the handbook changes were prompted after “a group of individuals providing public comment remotely made a series of discriminatory and hateful public comments during an advisory board meeting” in early 2024. She said the city council subsequently adopted resolutions updating council policies and the advisory board handbook and that the handbook now includes chapters on public comment, public hearings and meeting disruptions.

“So public comment is considered a limited public forum for free speech purposes,” Alyssa said. “So governments can regulate the time, place, and manner of the speech, provided that the regulations are reasonable and content neutral.” She told members the handbook summarizes the city’s policy and includes a script presiding officers may use in disruptive situations.

The handbook updates described by staff set a three-minute limit per speaker and a 30-minute total time allotment for public comment, with the presiding officer able to extend the period with approval of the body. Speakers are asked to state their name, city of residence or connection to the city, and the subject of their remarks. The guidance also says public hearings should be limited to the matter before the body and lists prohibited conduct such as interruptions (for example, clapping or booing), candidate endorsements, targeted threats of violence and conduct that could become a hate offense.

The presiding officer noted the limits are intended to prevent prolonged disruptions while acknowledging legal protections for speech. “But, of course, under the First Amendment, we can’t restrict what people say…there is no actual law against hate speech,” the presiding officer said while explaining why the city instead set time- and manner-based rules.

The board took no formal vote to adopt new policy language during the meeting; staff said the revised handbook and public-comment guidelines are posted online and available to advisory members.

On routine business the board approved the meeting agenda and last meeting’s minutes. A member moved to accept the agenda “as presented” and the motion was seconded; the presiding officer called the vote and said the motion “carries unanimously.” The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote as well.

Finance and claims was brief: the board heard a report that one reimbursement request had been processed since the prior meeting — a reimbursement of $761.16 for dental premiums. Staff said another request had been received the day of the meeting but had not yet been processed and would be reported at the next meeting.

The board adjourned after brief closing remarks and noted the next meeting would occur in approximately three months.