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