HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-29; Public Comment at Special City Council Meetings (Districts - All); Cobian, SheilaTo the members of the:
. <;:ITY COUNCIL
Date 4/2'1/-'L CA ~ CC ~
CM _L_ ACM _L DCM (3) -
April 29, 2021
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall a ers of the City Council
From:
Via:
Re:
Sheila Cobian, Assistant .. ,.,.,.,..,,"'
Scott Chadwick, City Ma age
Public Comment at Special I y Council Meetings (Districts -All)
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021086
This memorandum provides information related to resident concerns regarding non-agenda
public comment at the April 27, 2021, Special City Council Meeting.
Background
At the April 27, 2021, Special City Council Meeting, a resident expressed concerns that they did
not have an opportunity to register to speak regarding non-agenda public comment. Per the
Ralph M. Brown Act, non-agenda public comment is not required at Special City Council
Meetings. Government Code Section 54954.3 (a) states that the Special City Council Meeting
notice shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body
concerning any item that was described in the notice.
In the past, staff has included the words "Public Comment on Agenda Items" at the beginning of
Special City Council Meeting agendas. On the April 27, 2021, Special City Council Meeting
agenda, staff did include an area for "Public Comment" intending that the Public Comment
would be taken only for those items listed on the agenda in accordance with the Brown Act for
Special Meeting Agendas. Therefore, the registration form did not include an area to select non-
agenda public comment.
At the 2021 February and March Goal Setting Workshops/Special City Council Meetings, staff felt
that due to the broad discussion that would take place, and in an effort to organize comments
being provided at the beginning of the meeting, an opportunity for non-agenda public comment
was provided. This may have contributed to the confusion over allowing non-agenda public
comment at Special City Council Meetings.
Next Steps
There is nothing in the Ralph M. Brown Act that precludes non-agenda public comment at Special
City Council Meetings. Should City Council wish to provide non-agenda public comment on all
Special City Council Meeting agendas, except for closed session agendas, staff will include the
opportunity on the agenda moving forward.
cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Policy & Leadership
City Manager Department
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2820 t