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Committee moves to add standing public-comment item; staff to work with city secretary and legal
Summary
The Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee agreed in principle to add a standing public-comment agenda item open to comments on agenda and non-agenda topics, with staff to work through the city secretary and legal offices to implement rules (up to seven speakers, 3 minutes each was the committee preference).
The Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee discussed and agreed to pursue adding a standing public-comment item to its meeting agendas, with staff instructed to coordinate with the city secretary and legal to implement the change.
Committee members considered several options for scope: limiting comment to agenda items only, allowing comments on non-agenda matters, or a hybrid. Members expressed a preference for an open approach permitting comment on any topic related to the committee’s work, including posted agenda items and matters not listed on the agenda.
On procedural details, members indicated a preference for allowing up to seven speakers per meeting with a three-minute limit per speaker. Several members said that if the committee expects more commenters, shorter time limits could be considered; others preferred longer limits with fewer speakers. Staff said many committees allow three- to four-speaker limits but that practices vary citywide.
Staff will bring the committee’s feedback to the city secretary and legal for drafting of the standing-item language and procedural rules; the item is intended to appear near the start of the agenda (staff said it typically appears first) and may be added to agendas as early as February or March depending on lead time.
No formal ordinance or rule change was adopted at the meeting; the committee provided direction to staff to pursue implementation and return with proposed language and procedures.
