Resident alleges new 36-hour registration rule restricts public comment; board members dispute claim

A resident identified as Roxanne told the Community Board 11 Health and Social Services Committee that a recent bylaws amendment now requires 36-hour advance registration for public commentary and that the change has been used to bar speakers.

Roxanne accused board leaders of restricting public participation, saying, “You're fighting all code of conduct. You're prohibiting people from registration in person on the same day as we've done for over 40 years because of 1 board member or 1 of this manager that don't like criticism.” She urged the board to make the change public and said several seniors who came to a recent meeting were denied the opportunity to speak.

A committee member disputed the assertion that the sign-in option had been removed. The member said the 36-hour advance-registration amendment was in place but that the in-person sign-in sheet still exists; they added that the apparent contradiction would need to be addressed in a future agenda item. The committee did not vote on or adopt any further changes during this meeting.

Why it matters: Public-comment rules determine when and how residents can raise issues to the board; any change to registration procedures could affect access for seniors and community members who attend in person.

The complaint prompted members to note the need to clarify and publicly communicate how recent bylaw changes affect same-day in-person sign-ups. Committee leadership said the matter should be resolved at a full-board agenda item rather than in the committee meeting.

No formal motions or votes on the bylaws were recorded in this meeting.