Council debates public comment timing and accessibility; directs January lunch discussion

Councilmembers used the Nov. 24 work session to press staff for clarity and options after the city's change to a non-time-certain public-comment slot. Councilman Donaldson said constituents told him the change made it harder for working parents and professionals to participate; he asked for a recorded public statement of council positions on the issue so citizens know where members stand.

Staff said data from the constituent response team shows little change in overall participation counts since the change, but several councilmembers said the participant mix has shifted: subjects raised at comment and who attends have changed. "It works for us, but what we should be worried about is does it work for the citizens?" Councilman Donaldson asked, arguing for a time-certain slot so speakers do not wait for an unknown end time.

Several councilmembers proposed alternatives: restore a fixed time on regular meeting agendas; hold quarterly evening town halls dedicated to public comment so working residents can attend; or keep the current structure but add distinct evening opportunities. Some members cautioned against doing substantive business at unrecorded lunch meetings and suggested any lunch-level deliberations that produce policy proposals be on the public record. Council agreed to schedule a detailed discussion at a January lunch meeting and to explore evening town halls and district-specific listening sessions.