Mandeville council upholds rule barring public comment on newly introduced ordinances

The Mandeville City Council voted 3'to'2 on July 9 to reject a motion that would have allowed members of the public to speak on ordinances when they are first introduced. Council Chairman Scott Discon, Councilwoman Jill Lane and Councilwoman Cynthia Strong-Thompson voted against the change; Councilmen Kevin Vogeltanz and Jason Zuckerman voted for it.

Councilman Kevin Vogeltanz initiated the challenge to the council's long-standing public-comment rule and was seconded by Councilman Jason Zuckerman. During the public-comment period, resident William Kropog said the council's decision was "against the 1st Amendment," and Ernest Burguieres of 241 Wilkinson and Paul Branch of 531 Dorado also voiced disagreement with the outcome. The council took the procedural vote before moving to other agenda items.

The vote leaves the existing rule in place, under which speakers at the meeting may address items not on the published agenda but generally are not permitted to debate or comment on ordinances at introduction. The council did not adopt any change to that policy at this meeting; no further action or referral was recorded.