PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An outpouring of public concern in Portage about proposed changes to public participation at city council meetings has prompted some modifications, and explanations for why they were proposed in the first place.
The changes would move council meetings from 7 to 6 p.m., end the practice of allowing citizens pull items from the consent agenda, and cancel the second public comment period.
Emails protesting the changes prompted the council to move public comment ahead of the consent agenda, which will effectively give citizens a chance to request that a council member remove items for discussion.
That is something board member Chris Burns and several others said they would do.
Mayor Patricia Randall says starting the meetings an hour earlier makes things easier on staff, and the other changes bring them in line with Roberts Rules of Order.
Randall pointed out the changes can always be changed back if they don’t work.
Residents who attended last night’s meeting say they still disagree with the changes, and will be watching to see how they impact transparency and attendance.
The rule changes will take effect at the Portage City Council’s second meeting in February.
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