Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Procedure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission considers changing public-comment timing; staff to return with bylaw options
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether public comment should occur before each vote (current practice in some bodies) or after action items; staff highlighted council rules and Robert's Rules of Order and will return with proposed bylaw language for the next meeting.
Commissioners debated the commission's current practice of consolidating public comment at two points on the agenda versus asking for public comment before each individual action item. A commissioner said consolidated comment can leave the public's views "not fresh" when the commission later votes; another commissioner preferred asking after discussion so board members could hear residents' views before deciding. Staff referenced the council's written public participation rules and Robert's Rules of Order as guides and said another commission (the planning commission) follows comment-after-each-item practice because of its formal process.
Staff told the group that the commission operates under a generic ordinance and that bylaws could be amended to clarify when public comment is solicited. Commissioners agreed the issue warrants further discussion, asked staff to place the topic on the next agenda when more commissioners might be present, and requested staff draft bylaw amendments or options to consider.
