I am deeply concerned about City Council President David Little’s recent decision to remove Public Comments from council meetings’ broadcast and archival records.
Public Comments are an integral part of the meeting agenda, and the meeting is not adjourned during this segment. How can this action not violate the Open Meetings Act? What purpose does it serve to exclude these comments? Additionally, how can one individual unilaterally implement such a significant change?
The ACLU states, “If public comment is accepted orally, the governing body must provide a remote option for any person who has difficulty attending the meeting physically.” By removing Public Comments from the broadcast, we are not only limiting transparency but also potentially excluding those who cannot attend in person. This goes against the principle of inclusivity that our city should uphold.
The crucial changes achieved a few years ago resulted from extensive public comments at Council meetings. These changes would not have been possible under the current conditions.
