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Assembly declines to introduce strict 3‑minute public‑comment limit
Summary
After public testimony and debate, the assembly voted against introducing Ordinance 21‑11, which would have codified a three‑minute limit on citizen comments; several residents and assemblymembers warned the change could reduce public participation.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on May 4 rejected an attempt to introduce Ordinance 21‑11, which would have amended borough code to set a three‑minute limit on citizen comments and public‑hearing testimony.
Members of the public urged the assembly not to codify a strict time limit. "This ordinance is a direct attack on my participation in borough governance," Eric Simon told the assembly during public comment, arguing that the proposed limit would dampen the voice of constituents and that a single outlier meeting should not drive a permanent rule change.
Deborah Simon presented compiled meeting-time data, noting public comment accounted for about 13% of assembly meeting time over six months and arguing the problem was the number of people who show up for controversial issues, not the length of individual remarks.
During the assembly’s discussion, members including Arntzen and Thompson said the chair has historically managed comment length and that a codified limit could restrict future assemblies’ flexibility to hear the public. On the roll call the motion to introduce the ordinance failed (6 no, 0 yes).
The failed introduction leaves the borough’s current informal practice in place; the mayor indicated assemblies may continue to manage timing case-by-case and that separate public hearings remain available for contentious issues.
