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Osakis council eliminates open-floor public comment, requires pre-submitted agenda items
Summary
The Osakis City Council voted to remove the open-floor public comment portion of meetings, requiring residents to submit items or fill a form by the Monday prior to council meetings to have topics placed on a future agenda.
The Osakis City Council voted on Nov. 10 to remove the open-floor public comment portion of its regular meetings and instead require community members to submit items in writing or contact staff by the Monday before the meeting to have an item considered for a future agenda.
A council member made the motion, arguing the change will allow staff time to research issues and help the council respond more effectively when an item is discussed. “It would be more efficient to have them fill out a form or so at least we know we can do some research,” a council member said during the motion.
During the public-comment period a resident urged the council to improve sidewalk snow removal and to coordinate with the county on plowing so that snow is not pushed onto sidewalks. The resident—who did not self-identify in the record—pressed for more consistent city snow-clearing on streets without boulevards and suggested the city use a commercial blower and truck removal after larger storms.
Council members said staff will follow up with county road crews and city public works to refine operational plans and that the new submission process will be tried to see how it works. The motion to eliminate open-floor comment passed.
