The Glendale City Council pushed off a proposal last week that would have moved public comment at council meetings to a forum that takes place after meetings are over.
Concerns about speakers possibly using vulgar language during their comments, the 3-minute speaking limit, and speakers challenging public comment rules led to the proposed changes.
Before last week's regular meeting, a compromise was reached.
Council members would take a 5-minute recess and then return for public comments that wouldn’t be recorded. But before the new plan could be voted on, Glendale’s Mayor Jerry Weiers said the proposal was off the table.
Councilmember Lauren Tolmachoff argued against the proposal stating that it lacked transparency.
“Isn’t it what we want as elected officials? For our constituents and the residents in our city to be engaged with us? That’s what we should want, not to try to silence them," Tolmachoff said.
Talking to the city manager the following day, Tolmachoff said she was told meetings would still be recorded and public comment would carry on as normal.
She added that before items can reach the council's workshop meeting, there needs to be a consensus among council members to bring it to the workshop. That consensus wasn't reached, and the proposal felt "fast-tracked," she said.
Tolmachoff hopes that the council will have an answer at their next meeting Dec. 10.
