The Lawrence City Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to no longer broadcast the general public comment period and to move it to the very end of each meeting because of how some people have chosen to use the time. “I guess my concern is when people are using public comment to be performative, not to actually talk to us. And that’s what I think the purpose of public comment is, is to talk to us,” Commissioner Brad Finkeldei said. The commission last month approved several changes to procedures, including moving the general public comment period to the second-to-last agenda item and not broadcasting it live, but maintaining a recording. However, live broadcasts of public comment have continued. City staff members determined that they were unable to meet all three objectives — to stop broadcasting public comment, maintain a recording of it and hold it near the end of meetings but not at the very end. City Clerk Sherri Riedemann on Tuesday explained the technological challenges that prevented the city from doing all three. Commissioner Lisa Larsen said she thought the commission should keep public comment where it was, near the end of meetings, and continue broadcasting it. Four members of the public spoke to the commission about the issue.
Source: The Lawrence Times
