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Ojai preservation commission votes to trial three‑minute timer for commissioners' comments
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to trial a three‑minute speaking timer for commissioners during May and June, after a months‑long discussion about meeting efficiency and the need to allow full deliberation.
The City of Ojai Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously April 10 to trial a three‑minute speaking timer for commissioner comments during two meetings in May and June and to revisit the policy in July.
Commissioners debated how to balance the need for thorough deliberation with the practical goal of preventing meetings from becoming dominated by a few long speakers. Supporters said a timer encourages concise remarks and gives more commissioners an opportunity to speak; others urged self‑monitoring and flexibility for the chair to grant additional time when needed.
The motion to trial the timer passed on a roll call with all present voting yes: Levitt, Moore, Sims, Besascha, Walker and Chair McCatton.
At the meeting commissioners described the trial as an experiment: the chair and staff will run the timer during commissioner comments for two meetings and return the item to the agenda in July for review. Staff noted staff time and procedural functions are not limited by the timer.
