Agenda - Council - 09/24/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Langel explained that statement applies to the open forum portion of the meeting. He noted that the comment is inconsistent with the remainder of the language in that section. He stated that each City allows residents to comment in open forum for things not on the agenda. He stated that there is no regulation on the comments related to items on the agenda and that is an issue the City Council would have to discuss and resolve. He noted that this is an area of the Charter that could use clarification. Councilmember Riley stated that it would not make sense to preclude people from making comments on the cases that are being discussed as that voids the purpose of having an open meeting. City Attorney Langel stated that he has seen instances where Councils have allowed or disallowed public comments, depending on the agenda item. City Administrator Ulrich asked for information related to time limits for public comments. City Attorney Langel stated that almost every city has a three to five-minute limitation on public comment and a request not to duplicate previously provided comments as a method of efficiency. Councilmember Riley stated that if the City has to develop its own rule, he would propose that citizens in the audience that would like to address the Council on an agenda item would be allowed to speak. He noted that if the Charter needs to be amended to incorporate that statement, he would suggest that be made. Councilmember Heinrich asked if the comment card currently specifies that a resident cannot speak at open forum on an item related to a regular agenda item. That was confirmed. She requested that those cards be pulled to remove that language, as she believes it conflicts with the Charter. Councilmember Kuzma asked if a recommendation made to the Charter Commission to amend the Charter would need to come back before the Council and require a 7-0 vote. City Attorney Langel stated that he would need to review the Charter language. He stated that currently the two groups are working together to cleanup language in the Charter. He noted that this may be an instance that requires unanimous approval. Councilmember Menth stated that it does not appear that any decision has been made to pull cards and change language as additional discussion will be needed. Mayor LeTourneau agreed that this item should come forward at a future worksession for further discussion. Councilmember Riley stated that he was unsure why much more discussion would be needed to allow residents to provide public input at meetings. He stated that if the direction is going to be to follow the Charter and only allow discussion during open forum, then the comment card City Council Work Session / September 10, 2019 Page 7 of 9