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Greenbelt council amends standing rules to allow optional sign‑in or comment cards for public speakers
Summary
After extended debate, the council modified proposed standing rules so that attendees "may" sign in or fill a comment card rather than being required to do so; the change is framed as a pilot to help clerks manage speakers and to allow digital/paper options while preserving spontaneous recognition for attendees who arrive later.
Council members debated a proposed change to Greenbelt’s standing rules that would have required petitioners and speakers at regular meetings to sign in or use comment cards. Supporters said sign‑in helps clerks track speakers, balance time across items and display a speaker queue; opponents argued a mandatory requirement would deter spontaneous public participation and be undemocratic.
After extended discussion—covering implementation details, work‑session exemptions, digital options in the new CivicPlus system, and concerns raised in public comment—the council agreed to amend the draft language from 'shall sign in' to 'may sign in,' creating an optional sign‑in/comment‑card process meant to be iterative. The revised language allows staff to pilot a system that can include comment cards, an on‑table sign‑in, or an online form to be posted on the meeting screen, and staff were asked to work through operational details before final adoption.
Council also withdrew a proposed 'unbecoming conduct' subsection pending clearer definitions and additional work; members said a future, more detailed code of conduct may be brought back when language is refined.
Quote: "I will not vote for anything that requires our public to sign in," Council Member Nissel said during debate; council reached compromise language to make sign‑in optional.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a clean draft of the standing rules incorporating the 'may sign in' wording and return it for formal adoption after implementation details are resolved; the proposed conduct provision was pulled for further drafting.
