CC_Minutes_2018_0108 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 8, 2018 Page 12 The Council discussed reducing the time limit in Rule 3b from 5 to 3 minutes. Willmus moved, Etten seconded, to amend CITY COUNTIL PROCEDURE RULES Rule 3a, [Comments will be limited to -5 3 minutes per speaker or a dif- ferent amount of time at the discretion of the chair.] and Rule 3b. [These public comments are also limited to 3 3 minutes per speaker, or a different amount of time at the discretion of the chair.] The Council held further discussion about reducing the time limits. Mayor Roe expressed concern that a lot more people will bump up against the 3- minute time limit than those who bump up against the 5-minute limit. He was comfortable with the 5-minute timeframe. He opined that there are a few people who exceed the limits, but most people do not come close to 5 minutes. Three minutes might make it more difficult to manage the time. Philosophically, he does not want to restrict public comment. Councilmember McGehee noted it the discretion of the Chair. It can be used as more of a guideline to help people think about what they are going to say. Councilmember Etten noted that the phrase "or at the discretion of the chair" can be added to 3a and 3b. Mayor Roe suggested an amendment indicating: "or a different amount of time at the discretion of the chair" at the conclusion of both 3a and 3b. The Council con- curred with this friendly amendment. Councilmember Laliberte questioned why the language does not say "up to 5 minutes," as a"different amount of time" seems arbitrary. Roll Call Ayes: Laliberte, McGehee,Willmus, and Etten. Nays: Roe. Motion carried as amended. Councilmember Willmus initiated discussion on section 4. He suggested the Council, for a trial period, set the items on the agenda based upon a 9:30pm ad- journment. He noted often times, the Council has meetings that run well beyond 10:OOpm, and that is not beneficial to the residents bringing business before the Council or to the service being provided to the community. He acknowledged that this issue of timing is related to how the agendas are laid out, i.e., the time slots that are put out for various agenda items.