pages: OpenGovernmentCommission/2018-03-05.pdf, 8
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OpenGovernmentCommission | 2018-03-05 | 8 | Commissioner Schwartz responded the amount of time is tremendous; he does not see why someone would need to speak three times for three minutes on one agenda item; the amount is way too much. In response to Chair Dieter's inquiry, Commissioner Schwartz stated five minutes total is hefty. Chair Dieter stated a Councilmember speaks for 10 minutes and the same person comments on what others have said; time has to be allotted for deliberations to go back and forth. Commissioner Schwartz suggested the times be three minutes, two minutes and one minute. Vice Chair Little stated meetings are the only time the Council can discuss a topic as a group; for a lot of the topics, such as rent control, the public needs to see time is being taken to delve into, engage, interact and respond to some of the comments made; the subcommittee went back and forth about the right amount of time; providing a framework will afford the opportunity to engage in conversation, but puts a limit; only giving three chances to speak would already impact the process. Commissioner Foreman stated compared to what is in writing, a lot more time is being given; compared to what is actually happening at Council meetings, it is a lot less time; the rule is reasonable if it can be enforced. Chair Dieter stated part of why three minutes is being suggested is because the City Clerk will have to enforce the rule. The City Clerk inquired whether the Commission is suggesting a timing system to allow Councilmembers to see the countdown. Commissioners Schwartz, Little and Foreman expressed support for doing so. Commissioner Schwartz stated speaking three times for three minutes each is still a lot. The City Clerk noted staff would be able to execute the recommendation. Vice Chair Little inquired whether the City Clerk would keep track. Chair Dieter responded the timekeeper would have to do it. Vice Chair Little stated Rosenberg's Rules include a rule of decorum and agreeing to a process, so it is on the members to know and stop. Commissioner Henneberry stated the proposal on the table is better than what is going on; sometimes progress is incremental; he supports the subcommittee's proposal. Meeting Open Government Commission March 5, 2018 8 | OpenGovernmentCommission/2018-03-05.pdf |