AgdaPkt 2021.04.26 Joint SA FPA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.J. - Page 3 of 22 Given these factors, the Governance Sub -Committee recommends adjusting the start time of regular City Council meetings from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. The effectiveness of the change will be reevaluated in six months. Recommendation 2: Reduce time allotted for individual public comment from three minutes per speaker to two minutes per speaker to allow for more live public participation Staff recommends reducing the time allowed for public comment on agenda items and non -agenda items from three minutes per speaker to two minutes per speaker. While this modification will result in a minimal reduction in individual speaker time, it will ensure more speakers are able to address Council during live public comment opportunities. California Government Code Section 54954.3(b)(1) permits local legislative bodies to adopt reasonable regulation regarding public testimony, including limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on a particular issue or for each individual speaker, as long as the agenda provides members of the public an opportunity to address the legislative body before or during consideration of an agendized item, and provided the legislative body take no action on an item not appearing on the agenda. At the Mayor's discretion, public comment periods may be extended in order to accommodate all interested speakers. After reviewing the public comment portion of meetings held in 2020, the Governance Sub -Committee determined that a minimal reduction in time allowed per speaker will improve the pace of City Council meetings and ensure ample opportunity for public participation. Further, on numerous occasions throughout 2020 individual public comment time was reduced by the Mayor to two minutes per speaker to account for the overwhelming number of public requests to speak during the meeting. On more than one occasion, more than 60 members of the public provided public comment during the live comment period. The Sub -Committee noted that it is common for speakers to provide live public comment in less than the currently -allowed three minute allotment, further supporting the assertion that reducing the time allotted per speaker will have minimal impact on the public's ability to engage. As a point of comparison, in 2019 the total number of speakers who delivered live public comment during a City Council meeting was 425. In 2020, that number more than doubled with 882 speakers. Staff anticipates a sustained increase in live public comment compared to 2019, particularly if a virtual component is maintained for City Council meetings. Of the other jurisdictions within San Mateo County, the majority allow three minutes for public comment, however three cities — San Carlos, Daly City, and East Palo Alto — allow two minutes for public comment. Given these factors, staff recommends reducing individual public comment time from three minutes per speaker to two minutes per speaker during the live public comment portion of City Council meetings by approving the revisions to the Guide to City Council Communications & Business (Attachment B). Page 3 of 5 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 319