GF council reworks public comments

The Grand Forks council approved a series of changes that will impact public comments at meetings moving forward.

As discussed during last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting the guidelines include:   moving the comments to the beginning of the meeting…limiting the time a speaker has to five-minutes…written statements can be no longer than two-and-a-half pages…and requiring those who speak to submit a comment card prior to the start of the meeting.

The policy change was prompted in part by the tone of the debate at recent meetings regarding the proposed Fufeng project. Written comments will also be blocked from the city’s Facebook page during “live” meetings.

City Attorney Dan Gaustad says there are other provisions the council can use if the conduct is considered to be disruptive.  “It also talks about disruptive behavior that the presiding officer will provide a warning.  It it continues the council may go into recess until the disruptive behavior stops.  Of course if the conduct is severe enough the presiding officer could ask for immediate removal of the individual.”

Public comments will only be allowed at regular council meetings.