Council Discusses Rules for Public Comments During Open Meetings
House Bill 2840, which became law on September 1, 2019, created a right for members of the public to address the City Council at an open meeting of the Council before or during Council action on an item. At Council's September 24 work session, staff briefed the Council on the law and discussed the Town's rules regarding public comments at open meetings. Currently, there is time dedicated to public comments at the beginning of each regular Council meeting, however, comments are limited to items not on the agenda unless the item is posted as a public hearing. This bill allows the community to comment on any item, even those posted on the agenda, during the dedicated public comment time.