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Council shortens process for public-comment change, adopts emergency procedural rules
Summary
Council amended its rules of procedure (Ordinance 26-03) to alter timing of public comment and declared the measure an emergency, suspending the normal three-reading requirement so the change took effect immediately.
Delaware City Council voted on Feb. 9 to amend its procedural rules regarding when public comment is heard during meetings and adopted the change as an emergency measure.
Ordinance 26-03 modifies the council—s rules of procedure (Section 111-01 of the city codified ordinances) to shift how the consent agenda and public comment are sequenced, with the stated purpose of maximizing opportunity for public input during regular council business. Council members moved to suspend the three-reading requirement and to adopt the emergency clause so the change would be effective immediately.
A brief point-of-order and exchange occurred about whether to move the item forward without the usual three readings; the motion to suspend carried with one recorded no vote. Council then approved the emergency clause and the ordinance itself by roll-call vote.
The ordinance will be in effect immediately upon passage, and staff said they will separate out related public-hearing items for discussion at upcoming meetings as needed. The change reflects council—s stated interest in increasing transparency and providing more timely public input opportunities to residents.
