Athens council narrows public comment to designated Public Communications section

The Athens City Council on Monday unanimously approved an amendment to the city's Public Communications Procedures that requires residents who wish to speak to sign a registration card before the meeting opens and limits public remarks to the meeting's designated Public Communications section.

The change drew a public objection from Anne Perryman, who asked the council to allow citizens to speak during individual agenda items rather than only in the Public Communications portion. City Secretary Bonnie Hambrick explained the proposal grew out of a February 18 work session and noted the council had reached consensus to confine citizen remarks to the Public Communications section and require registration prior to the meeting opening. Hambrick also summarized procedural details discussed in the work session, including that an item dies when no motion is made, two council members may request an item be placed back on the agenda, and an item denied becomes ineligible to appear on an agenda for 90 days unless a majority authorizes earlier consideration.

Councilwoman SyTanna Freeman moved to adopt the amendments; Councilwoman Katha Lawyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Supporters of the amendment said the clarified rules create a consistent, administrable process for public input and agenda management; opponents warned that restricting speaking to a single public comment period could limit opportunities for speakers to address specific agenda items directly. The council did not specify an implementation date beyond the immediate approval recorded in the minutes.

The council approved several other items on the agenda following the vote, and the meeting proceeded to scheduled reports and resolutions.