Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment And Minutes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge longer comment window; council asks recorder to review minutes
Summary
Two residents criticized the city’s public‑comment limits and the seven‑day written‑comment window on a pending amendment. Council voted to reconsider minutes to allow the recorder to review the audio and prepare additional detail; the hearing on the amendment was rescheduled to April 7.
Two residents used the March 3 public‑comment period to press the Monmouth City Council for more time and clarity on public input rules.
David Pastor said he lives outside Monmouth and asked the city to adopt a clearer mechanism for correcting draft minutes and to extend the written‑comment deadline on a pending legislative amendment, calling meaningful community engagement "inclusive, thoughtful, transparent, proactive and clear." He asked that the record remain open so written comment received up to three days before a scheduled vote could be included.
Joan Gloom told the council the three‑minute rule for oral public comment is unfair to older residents, saying it amounts to "the epitome of ensuring lack of adequate community involvement for anyone, let alone the subtle discrimination of the elderly."
Following public comment, Councilor Lopez moved to reconsider approval of the Feb. 17 minutes to allow the recorder to add Mr. Pastor’s full remarks to the public‑comment section; Councilor McKil seconded. The council voted in favor and asked the city recorder(s) to review the meeting recording and prepare any additional detail to appear in the next packet.
Mayor Coons also announced that the next hearing on the legislative amendment was rescheduled to April 7; additional written testimony already received will be included in that packet.
