City Council to Consider Changes to Public Comments

SAN ANGELO, TX - The San Angelo City Council will consider a resolution amending reasonable rules for public comment at its next meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Currently, public comment for non-agenda items takes place at the beginning of all regular public meetings.

This resolution would move it to the end of the meeting.

The reason for the requested change is so the City Council can more efficiently focus on the business at hand, according to the proposed resolution from the City of San Angelo.

The current rules allow the potential for members of the public to come out of left field to discuss anything and everything before the City Council can move on to items actually on the agenda.  

This would eliminate that issue.

"The regular meetings of City Council and the Boards and Commissions are for the purpose of conducting the business of the City. It is in the best interest of those who are conducting business with the City to have their business heard in an efficient manner," stated a report from City Clerk Heather Stastny to Mayor Brenda Gunter and the City Council. 

"The proposed changes balance that purpose with the desire and obligation of the Council to accept public comment. City staff reviewed the public comment processes of other governmental entities as well as various City Boards to develop this amended policy."

Under the new rules, any member of the public wishing to addressing the governing body or board may do so during the open public comment period at the end of the meeting, or they can do so during the agenda item at the meeting when the presiding officer calls for public comment on that item.

There were will be no public comments taken at workshops or special meetings where no action will be taken.

Any member of the public wishing to speak will be required to sign in with the City Clerk or Board Secretary prior to the beginning of the meeting, indicate what item they wish to provide comment on, and they will be called to speak in order of signature. They will also be required to introduce themselves by their first and last name and give their home address and/or single member district number.

People will be limited to three minutes for public comment.

The resolution is proposed to take effect Oct. 1, 2024.