City Council Meeting Date: March 12, 2026
To: Charter Commissioners
From: CC Linstroth, Charter Commission Chair
Title
Discussion on Open Public Comment Response Process.
Body
Action Requested:
The Charter Commission is asked to discuss a proposed process on responding to open public comments at meetings.
Summary Report:
Members of the public are provided the opportunity to address the Charter Commission during the Open Public Comment portion of each meeting. Public comment may include expressions of opinion, requests for clarification, concerns regarding the Commission’s work, or suggestions for potential amendments to the Charter.
At present, there is no formalized procedure governing how the Commission determines whether to take action in response to matters raised during Open Public Comment. Responses have historically been handled at the discretion of the Chair and the Commission.
I am proposing to establish a formal process to ensure that suggestions raised by members of the public are acknowledged and considered in a consistent, transparent, and respectful manner. Under the proposed framework, matters raised during Open Public Comment that appear to request Commission action would be placed on a subsequent agenda for consideration. At that meeting, a Commissioner could make a motion to direct further review or take up the suggestion. If no motion is made, no second is received, or the motion fails to receive majority support, the matter would not move forward. If the matter receives a majority vote of support from the Commission, the item will be placed on a future meeting agenda for further discussion or action.
I believe is important to note that not all feedback received during the Open Public Comment portion of the meeting is actionable. In cases where comments do not require Commission action, response will be determined by the Chair. This may be a simple acknowledgment at the time of the Open Public Comment or it may be referring the issue to City staff for follow-up action.
I welcome alternate perspectives and am providing this memo as background to help foster discussion. This is a discussion item at this meeting, but I am planning that after feedback on this idea to bring forward policy action for consideration before the board in May.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
March 12, 2026 Discuss a formal process for responding to open public comment.
May 14, 2026 Vote on a process for responding to open public comment.