Santa Rosa City Council shaking up public comment

The public will no longer have to wait until the end of lengthy Santa Rosa City Council meetings to speak on items not on the agenda.

In a nod to improving public engagement, Mayor John Sawyer announced Tuesday that public comments will also be heard as close to 5 p.m. as possible and last for up to half an hour.

The change was one of several recommendations by the city’s Open Government Task Force, which was formed in response to criticism that the city government lacked transparency.

Councilwoman Erin Carlstrom, who co-chaired the task force, applauded the move.

“I think this is one (recommendation) we can knock off really quickly and show some real dedication and commitment to opening up these chambers,” Carlstrom said.

Sawyer, who as mayor sets the agendas and runs the meetings, said he would be try to open the comment period as close to 5 p.m. as possible. He wanted some flexibility to avoid interrupting ongoing staff reports or other council business.

“I know we’re not going to get to perfection, I’m just hoping we can get a little closer to it than we are now,” Sawyer said.

At three minutes each, up to 10 people would be allowed to address the council during the new early comment period, which is expected to be begin at next Tuesday’s meeting. Anyone else will still have to wait until the end of the meeting.

Public comments for items on the agenda have long been and will continue to be accepted throughout the course of council meetings.

The period for comments on nonagenda matters, which frequently have nothing to do with city business, was moved to the end of meetings years ago. The goal was to prevent staff and other members of the public from having to sit through comments that often range from constructive critiques to nonsensical tirades.

The proposed change was well-received by fellow council members and members of the public.

Roseland resident Bill Haluzak said the old policy has been “sort of a thorn underneath the saddle for some time.”

“I’ve come to these meetings at 4 o’clock and I’ve been here as late as 10:45 p.m. and I’ve not been able to speak my three minutes,” Haluzak said.

He said he appreciated the move, but suggested speakers be required to limit their remarks to issues relevant to city business. Sawyer agreed understood the goal, but said he finds it often “easier and less stressful on everybody” to just let folks speak their minds regardless of the subject matter.

Councilman Gary Wysocky said he hoped there would be a way to give priority during the new comment period to residents who hadn’t spoken to the council recently. Doing so would ensure that “the same five or six people” don’t dominate that period every meeting, defeating the goal of encouraging more residents to engage directly with city leaders.

Sawyer said he agreed, but didn’t specify how he would go about prioritization. He said he wanted to “keep it simple.”

Kevin Conway, who has spoken to the council about the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said he approved of the change in part because it will be more convenient and allow people to attend after work.

“I think it will definitely increase public participation, open government and transparency,” Conway said.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.