Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Participation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges clearer public-comment rules after council approval of agenda
Summary
During community forum on Jan. 13, 2026, resident Dr. Bibi Neuman said the council approved the meeting agenda without allowing public comment and requested that future agendas clearly indicate which items are open for comment and that inconsistencies in the Standing Rules be corrected.
At the Jan. 13 St. Anthony Village City Council meeting, resident Dr. Bibi Neuman used the community forum to protest the council’s approval of the agenda without allowing public comment on certain items.
Dr. Neuman said that approving the agenda in that way “is not aligned with the City’s commitment to transparency, servant leadership, and public participation,” and she argued the practice undermines participatory government. She asked the council to take three steps: clearly identify on future agendas which items will be open for public comment and which will not before meetings begin; avoid blanket approvals of governance-significant items without public input; and correct inconsistencies and conflicting time limits in the Standing Rules. She also asked that when resident concerns are denied or bypassed, the reasons be made part of the public record.
Dr. Neuman said she was “documenting a pattern” and requested corrections to ensure the council’s procedures align with the city’s stated commitments. The minutes record her comments but do not reflect a council response or action on those requests during this meeting. The council noted the next regular meeting is Jan. 27, 2026.
