HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-2017 Item 13, McLeanCOUNCIL MEETING: ��. - % RECEIVED
ITEM No.: _ 13 .__ _. MAY 16 2017
LO CITYCLERK
From: cc me lean [
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 10:23 AM
To: CityClerk <CityClerk@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Cc: Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>; Rivoire, Dan <DRivoire@slocity.org>;
Christianson, Carlyn <cchristianson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>
Subject: Item #13 proposed reduction in Public Comment time 5/16/17 City Council
Please distribute to City Council members and post with Agenda Correspondence. Thank you.
City Council members:
The proposed reduction of Public Comment time allotted from 3 minutes down to 1 minute per
speaker is an idea which will limit most residents ability to participate in our San Luis Obispo City
government. At this moment in time many local citizens feel that our city government is not really
open to public opinion except by email and the 3 minute public comment at meetings. It is often
difficult for residents to express an opinion in the present 3 minutes allowed.
Three of you recently ran for office on a platform of listening to residents and being open to our
opinions. This reduction would have a chilling effect, silencing us to a large extent and sends a
negative message. The recent increased time spent prior to Public Comments on public recognition
of City departments, employees, schools, awards the City has received, etc.* has increased the length
of City Council meetings. Have you considered moving the recognition/awards to a different day or
time?
Please preserve this important democratic principle. The message that accompanies this reduction
would be punitive to local citizens and stifle our ability to participate in local city government. Thank
you for reinforcing an important tenet of democracy in San Luis Obispo by not reducing Public
Comment time.
Sincerely,
Cheryl McLean
San Luis Obispo