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Legal counsel tells speakers Brown Act limits public comment at special meetings
Summary
Legal counsel explained that public comment at special board meetings is limited to agenda items; a few members of the public objected and were invited to return for general public comment at the next regular meeting.
Early in the meeting trustees and legal counsel clarified public-comment rules under the Brown Act for a special meeting. The board president asked legal counsel to explain whether the public may speak to any topic; counsel explained the governing rule: general public comment is required for regular meetings but is limited to items on a special-meeting agenda.
Legal counsel told the audience: "For special meetings, public comment is limited to items on the special meeting agenda." Several members of the public argued they had a First Amendment right to speak about non-agenda topics and said they might pursue legal action; counsel and the president responded that speakers were welcome to return at the next regular meeting or limit comments to agenda items that evening.
The exchange concluded with the board proceeding to public-comment cards that matched agenda items (several public speakers later addressed MRAS items and the Rio Hondo Math Academy program).
