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Council debates narrowing citizen comments; legal counsel summarizes the law
Summary
Council debated whether to limit public comment to the start of meetings or allow speakers before each agenda item. Legal counsel reminded members: "Citizens' comment is now required before, during consideration of any item that the council may act on or may even consider." Council directed staff to draft options for a consistent policy.
Council spent significant time on item 27 discussing whether citizen comments should be confined to the beginning of a meeting or preserved before each agenda item. Several council members argued limiting comments would shorten meetings; others said preventing speakers from addressing specific agenda items would deny a statutory right.
Legal counsel clarified the legal standard while the council debated values and logistics: "Citizens' comment is now required before, during consideration of any item that the council may act on or may even consider," counsel said. Members discussed yield practices (allowing speakers to give their time to others), time caps, and safeguards against repetitive or abusive comments. The council asked staff to draft a consistent policy that balances public access and efficient meeting management and to return with adjustable options (petition thresholds, time limits, and a yield/cap rule).
