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Council directs staff to rewrite public‑comment rules, including two‑minute limit and ending comment cards
Summary
The City Council unanimously directed staff to bring back a resolution that would rescind comment card requirements, establish a two-minute limit per speaker, bar using personal devices to permit remote commenters, and apply rules to all City legislative bodies.
Council members on May 12 debated changes to public comment procedures and unanimously directed staff to prepare a resolution formalizing several revisions. The direction included rescinding the comment card requirement and the deadline for submission, establishing a two‑minute time limit per speaker for general public comments and public hearings, prohibiting use of personal devices to allow others to provide public comment remotely, and strictly enforcing time limits.
City Attorney Keith Collins advised on the process for bringing a formal resolution and referenced forthcoming requirements under Senate Bill 707. The Council also directed that the procedures apply to all City legislative bodies, require speakers to line up (with reasonable ADA accommodations), and authorize the Mayor or presiding officer to permit limited deviations; staff are to bring examples when the policy is presented for adoption.
