Planning commission shortens public-comment limit to three minutes to match council

The Moraine Planning Commission approved an amendment to its bylaws to change the public-comment time limit from five minutes to three minutes, matching Moraine City Council’s standard. Commissioners discussed the change while reviewing the commission’s bylaws and a Robert’s Rules overview provided in meeting packets.

Staff said the planning commission bylaws may be amended by a majority vote for non-substantive changes and offered to prepare revised language and to have the chair sign the updated bylaws at the next meeting. A commissioner moved to change only the time-limit provision and a second was recorded; the commission carried the motion by roll call.

During the discussion, staff noted that the bylaws were last updated in 2016 and that Robert’s Rules reference materials were available for commissioners to check out. Commissioners said aligning the time limit with council would help keep meetings from running long and provide consistency for speakers and staff.

Staff will draft the amended bylaw language and provide it for the chair’s signature at the next planning commission meeting.