Changes to Public Comment in City Meetings
9/15/20 Update:
Council did not come to a decision about how to facilitate public comment while meetings remain online.
Council debated meeting in person or switching to a hybrid format, with some arguing that these changes would better accommodate public comment along with council’s general morale and efficacy. A majority of council voted down a motion to return to in-person meetings due to ongoing safety risks.
This week, we're highlighting a presentation in Tuesday's Council Work Session about the path forward for public comment in city meetings during COVID-19. Public comment was banned from council meetings after white supremacists Zoom-bombed several Urban County Council meetings and work sessions. This Tuesday, Council will hear a presentation of their options to reinstate public comment, mandated in council meetings by state law.
Why is there no public comment?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the city moved all official meetings to a live-streamed Zoom platform, including public comment.
Council suspended public comment after several meetings were "Zoom-bombed" by individuals making racist, sexist, and xenophobic comments.
Callers specifically targeted CMs James Brown and Angela Evans, the two people of color on the council, and CM Jennifer Reynolds, representing the city's most prominent Latino/a neighborhoods.
Some Council Members even had their addresses read aloud, including CMs Reynolds and CM Amanda Bledsoe.
This harassment also makes it riskier for the public itself to comment during meetings.
Following multiple incidents of harassment, the council voted to suspend public comment for all city meetings indefinitely.
With that said, state law requires public comment at specific legislative meetings, including council meetings, standing committee meetings, planning commission, and more.
What public comment options are the council hearing?
Council is considering the following for 'regular' meetings of the council and public hearings such as tax changes or budget adoption:
Option 1:
Live comments will be prohibited, and written/video recordings of comments must be submitted to the council in advance for review.
Comments would become part of the public record for the meeting.
Option 2:
Live comments will be allowed, but commenters must pre-register with their name and address. While the council clerk will eliminate any obviously fake names from participation, disruptive and racist comments may still slip through.
If this option is adopted, the council may change ordinances to reduce the speaking time allotted in council meetings.
Option 3:
Live comments will be allowed without restrictions.
Current technology doesn't allow for prescreening of those signed up for public comment, so disruptive and racist comments may still slip through.
Council is considering the following for Planning Commission meetings:
Due to the nature of Planning Commission meetings, the council isn't considering pre-submission of comments.
The council is strongly considering a required pre-registration for Planning Commission.
Again, while clerks will eliminate any obviously fake names from participation, disruptive and racist comments may still slip through.
Want to weigh in? Email council here.