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Flagstaff diversity commission limits public comments to 4 minutes
Summary
The Flagstaff Commission on Diversity Awareness voted to set a four-minute limit for public comments on both open-call and agendized items, effective at the next meeting. The commission debated 3, 4 and 5-minute options before approving the standard to provide consistent rules for speakers and chairs.
The Flagstaff Commission on Diversity Awareness formalized a time limit for public comment, voting to set public participation at four minutes for both open-call items and comments on agendized items.
Chris, the commission’s staff liaison, told the commission that it had not previously established clear rules for public participation and that the absence of standards left the chairperson to exercise discretion in how long members of the public may speak. "This commission has not established its own rules for public participation yet," Chris said, noting other bodies such as city council commonly use three minutes as the standard.
Commissioners discussed several alternatives. Commissioner Martinez said three minutes "probably no more than that," while other commissioners argued three minutes could be too short for some speakers. One commissioner suggested a "happy medium" of four minutes. A motion to set the commission’s public-comment time to four minutes was made, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, and approved by voice vote. The chair said the rule will take effect at the next meeting.
The commission and staff clarified how the limit applies in two different contexts: the open call to the public (for items not on the agenda) and public comment on agendized items. Staff emphasized that open-call comments cannot be debated by commissioners during that agenda item because the comments are, by definition, not on the posted agenda; agendized public comment, by contrast, may include some back-and-forth on the item.
The new rule replaces ambiguous language in the agenda that already suggested a five-minute limit; staff acknowledged that the agenda line "each public comment or presentation may be limited to 5 minutes" existed but had not been actively enforced as a formal standard. The commission recorded a voice vote in favor (ayes recorded; no nays were spoken) and the chair confirmed implementation at the next meeting.
The commission directed staff to update agendas and public materials to reflect the new four-minute standard and to apply it consistently to both open-call and agendized public participation going forward.
