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Council considers two immediate changes to rules of procedure on public comment interactions
Summary
Council reviewed proposed immediate amendments to its rules of procedure that would limit public approaches to the dais during public comment and restrict council members from leaving the dais to engage speakers without majority consent.
City Attorney presented two amendments to the Council rules of procedure on May 13, both focused on interactions between council members and the public during meetings.
The first amendment would prohibit members of the public from approaching the dais during public comment; the amendment would still allow the clerk to receive materials from speakers. The second amendment would prohibit council members from leaving the dais solely to interact with speakers during public comment without the consent of a majority of council members present.
Council members discussed how the amendments would affect decorum and practical circumstances. Some councilors said the proposed limits would help maintain order and ensure that council members remain at the dais to hear all speakers; others expressed concern about unintended consequences, such as preventing brief, appropriate interactions (for example, allowing a scout group or a family member to approach for a moment). The mayor said the intent was to preserve order; other councilors urged that the mayor’s existing authority to manage disruptive behavior might be sufficient and cautioned about overbroad rules.
No vote was taken during the work session. The attorney said additional, broader amendment proposals are planned for a July meeting and that the two items discussed were the more immediate changes the mayor and vice mayor requested be addressed at this meeting.
