Members of the public are now permitted to speak on any agenda item at Town Council meetings, a practice that until last week was prohibited, in non-compliance with the town’s charter.
Before the council’s decision Feb. 11 allowing residents to address all agenda items, the public was allowed to speak only on matters not on the agenda and only during a single time slot early in the meeting.
The discrepancy between the council’s policy and terms of the town charter was raised by Councilor Sam Flinkstrom, according to Council Chair John James.
“Councilor Flinkstrom brought it to my attention that the way the charter was written, residents could speak on the agenda item up until a motion and second was made by the council,” James stated later in a text.
“We have in the past allowed residents to speak (only) after listening to the council go back-and-forth on their thoughts, but since it was brought to my attention I will now follow what the charter says,” he said.
The town charter requires that as each agenda item is announced, the public must be offered the chance to speak about that item. After the time allotted for public comments expires, the item goes back to the council for consideration and discussion, and at that point public comment on that item is closed.
The charter also lays out protocols for members of the public to identify themselves and address the council; and prohibits certain behavior by members of the public during council meetings.
The text of those sections of the charter:
Any person wishing to address the Town Council will be given an opportunity to do so in accordance with the following procedure:
1. Persons wishing to address the Council on an item which appears on the agenda shall wait until the Chairman announces consideration of such item, at which time they may address the Council on that particular item.
However, once the Council has begun its deliberations on an item, no person shall be permitted to address the Council on such item, and any person desiring to further address the Council on such item must wait to do so until all items on the agenda have been completed.
2. Any person wishing to address the Council shall signify his desire by raising his or her hand, and, when recognized by the Chairman, such person shall thereupon request permission to address the Council, giving his or her name and address, then designating the subject matter on which he or she desires to address the Council.
3. Persons present at Council meetings are requested not to applaud or otherwise express approval or disapproval of any statements made or actions taken at such meeting.
