Council votes to move non‑agenda public comment to 5:30 p.m.; council members ask staff to refine sign‑up process

The City Council voted June 10 to change its public comment schedule: beginning in July, non‑agenda public comment — city‑related items not tied to a particular agenda item — will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on meeting days to make it easier for working residents to participate.

Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn introduced the agenda request, saying many residents cannot attend midday comment periods. The procedural change keeps the existing ability for members of the public to speak during the council’s business session on specific agenda items as those items come up; the new 5:30 p.m. block is an additional opportunity specifically intended for city‑related comments not tied to a given ordinance or item.

Council discussed logistics. City Secretary staff said they will need to set a sign‑up cutoff time (staff suggested taking sign‑ups earlier in the afternoon so staff can compile the list) and will provide a process for submission of any supporting documents. Several council members and public commenters suggested a simple clipboard sign‑up at the back of the dais or an online slot to allow working people to register before 5:30 p.m.

The council also asked staff to add a rule that the council will be considered “in session” during the 5:30 p.m. public comment window even if a quorum of members is not present, so that those who come in the evening can address the council and be assured their remarks are on the public record. Staff said they will publish operational details — sign‑up cutoff, where to sign up and how staff will handle documents — before the July start date and will monitor use of the new timeframe to determine whether additional changes are needed.

The council approved the change and directed staff to implement and communicate the new sign‑up process.