Residents press Cotati council over public‑comment procedure; city attorney says land‑acknowledgment and pledge are not Brown Act items

Several residents used the public‑comment periods at the Cotati City Council meeting on May 27 to criticize the city’s public‑comment scheduling and assert the council is restricting opportunities to speak on agenda items.

Former councilman George Barich opened public comment saying the council’s practice of distinguishing “action” and “non‑action” agenda items is wrong and “perverse,” adding that “the government code does not make any distinction between action items and non action items.” Other speakers echoed concerns, arguing that moving proclamations and reports earlier on the agenda and reclassifying certain items limits opportunities for public input.

City Attorney Bakker told council the city does provide opportunities for public comment on agenda items and clarified that a land‑acknowledgment or the pledge of allegiance are not items under the Brown Act. “Those are not items under the Brown Act. They are simply statements that the council makes during public during its meeting as part of its process and policies,” Bakker said.

Several speakers also complained about minute accuracy and the timeliness of staff responses. One resident raised tree‑health concerns at Putnam Park while others questioned the status of a hotel project and roundabout planning. Staff responded that the park contractor has tree‑protection requirements in the contract and that the hotel was in underwriting and expected to go to construction if financing closes this summer.

The council closed the public comment period after the city attorney’s response and moved on to the rest of the agenda.