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Residents and county staff clash over proposed public-comment changes to consent calendar
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Board that an item consolidating consent-calendar public comments (Item 11) reduces meaningful participation and may conflict with the Brown Act; the Board clarified the item covers only consent-calendar/comment timing and left the item on the consent calendar with a recorded no vote by one supervisor.
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A proposed change to when and how the public speaks on consent-calendar items drew sustained public opposition at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ Jan. 6 meeting, with residents and advocates saying the change could undermine participation and possibly violate the Brown Act.
What was proposed: Item 11 would consolidate public comment on the consent calendar and closed-session items into a single comment period, generally to be taken before staff presentations on those grouped items. County staff said the change was aimed at improving efficiency by allowing a single, organized comment period for consent items and clarifying the process for pulling items.
Public reaction: Speakers…
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