Council advances first reading of rules limiting total public comment time with president discretion

Council discussed proposed changes to meeting rules in Ordinance 26‑086 and companion Ordinance 26‑087 designed to streamline meetings by limiting public comment to an overall 90‑minute cap and setting five minutes per speaker, with the council president able to exercise discretion. The measures also reposition public comment in the agenda order to reduce duplication of comments on the same ordinance between early and later phases of the agenda.

Councilwoman Frisbie, sponsor of the change, said the ordinance is intended to preserve productive meetings and to reduce repeated testimony that can stretch meetings to four or five hours. She said the 90‑minute cap would primarily address occasions when groups deliberately use repeated appearances to disrupt the session and proposed language granting the council president discretion to modify time limits where appropriate.

Opponents raised free‑speech concerns. Vice President Williams and others warned that rigid caps can be perceived as restricting constituents’ rights, and Councilwoman Edwards urged preserving opportunities for the public to speak before council votes on new business. Several council members proposed amendments to retain five minutes per speaker but add explicit language that time limits are subject to the council president’s discretion and that public comment placement should ensure residents can speak before votes when practical.

Legal counsel Edward Kolodziej advised that the council can regulate the duration of public comment consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act but cannot force a group to name a single speaker if all wish to testify. After amendments to the ordinance and an agreed reordering of agenda numbering, council voted for first reading on Ordinance 26‑086; Vice President Williams and the council president recorded 'No' votes for first reading, but the motion carried overall.

Council agreed to circulate revised ordinance language before second reading and to schedule further refinement to preserve public access while keeping meetings productive.