Council agrees to pilot comment-card system and move public comment to end of regular meetings

The Committee of the Whole agreed May 14 to pilot a revised regular-meeting format: start regular meetings earlier, collect comment cards and move citizens’ input to the end of meetings so members of the public can watch and speak after agenda business.

Council Member Kaduk proposed adopting a card-based system used by other local bodies to capture speakers’ contact information, topics and whether their concern was legislative or operational. Speakers said cards help staff and council follow up after meetings, reduce time waiting at the podium and allow employees to address operational concerns without consuming council time.

Council members discussed logistics: provide comment cards (name, address, topic, phone number, email) at the back of the chamber and a collection box; the clerk will gather cards prior to the public-comment portion and call speakers in order. The group agreed to advertise an in-meeting “last call” reminder so late arrivals can still submit cards. The mayor asked staff to draft a rules change and updated meeting schedule; the city clerk recommended bringing the amendment to the June 4 meeting for adoption with implementation after the council’s summer hiatus.

Council members also asked staff to create an electronic submission option and to run the pilot for a set period, with follow-up reporting to council.