The Grand Forks council is considering making changes in the way it allows public comments during meetings in light of the proposed Fufeng project.
Assistant City Attorney Joe Quinn briefed the council on First Amendment Rights during last night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Quinn also outlined steps the council can take if disruptions occur.
Council President Dana Sande says he doesn’t want to eliminate the public comments – but he requested the review. “In my 12 years on the council we’ve had lots of issues that have had considerable public debate. I have never seen the behavior that I’ve been seeing related to the corn milling plant we are trying to put in our community. I’ve never seen people on social media saying they should get a rope for the council president.”
Council member Brett Weber says he hopes potential restrictions don’t erode public confidence in the council.
Possible changes include a five minute time limit per speaker….moving the comments to the beginning of the meeting…going into recess if there are disruptions…and turning off comments that are made on the city’s Facebook page during “live” meetings.
The council could act on the recommendations next week.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
