Councilors discuss removing community comments from work sessions, expanding drop-in slots at business meetings

Councilors discussed whether to stop offering a public comment period at work sessions and to move community comments exclusively to business meetings, where speakers are more visible to the full council and microphones, timers and a more formal setting are in place.

Several councilors said community comments at work sessions are awkward and seldom used, and that public testimony is more effective at regular business meetings or through written submissions. Others argued that removing work-session comments must be paired with more robust in-person opportunities at business meetings — for example, increasing the number of drop-in commenters from the current default to allow more voices — and clearer public communication about where and how to speak to councilors.

Council members asked staff to return with a revision to council policy that would clarify how many drop-in commenters are allowed at business meetings, and how to coordinate sign-up and timing if an issue attracts many speakers. No formal policy change was adopted at the work session; councilors signaled interest in returning this item to a future agenda with options and a proposed interim approach.

Ending: Staff will draft an update to council meeting rules for future action; in the interim the mayor retains discretion to allow additional drop-in commenters.