Antun and Ross Force an Airing on Public Comments

Two weeks ago, city commissioners spent an hour debating whether they should hold a monthly town hall meeting for citizens and if the public comment segment of commission meetings should be moved to the earlier part of the agenda. Led by Mayor Bradley Bean, both proposals failed to gain traction.

Both issues were resurrected at the conclusion of Tuesday's city commission meeting by Commissioner James Antun, resulting in both proposals being placed on the July 2 commission meeting for a vote.

Bean again led the opposition for consideration of both suggestions, but lost when Antun was joined by Commissioner Chip Ross in having the items put on the agenda.

The debate began at the very conclusion of the city commission meeting when Antun made his closing remarks.

"I've had quite a bit of feedback since we had the workshop discussing public comment and whether or not to have town halls. I'd like to implore you all to consider that we do open a town hall," Antun said. "My other point is I've had overwhelming feedback to request to move at least partial public comment back to the beginning of the meeting."

Bean replied to Antun's request by stating he holds his own town hall sessions at the Council on Aging and that commission meetings are in reality town hall meetings.

"Every (commission) meeting is a town hall. So we can hear from any one at any time," Bean said.

Antun disagreed with Bean's position on holding his own town hall gatherings.

"I'd like to contend that it's not quite the same as one individual commissioner meeting with people versus having the group here on record," Antun retorted. "I think a lot of things can get aired out where citizens can get a chance to hear other citizens' opinions versus where people's schedules don't line up seeing you at your time. I think these are different."

Commissioner Darron Ayscue raised a point of order that if four of the five commissioners agreed, the commission could vote on Antun's proposal immediately instead of waiting until July 2.

"We spent well over an hour discussion on this at the workshop. Let's put it on the agenda (tonight) right now," Ayscue said.

He was joined by Bean.

Ross said he did not agree with putting it up for a vote.

"It (the proposals) needs to be publicly noticed, and this is another way of circumventing transparency," Ross said.

Without four commissioners agreeing to vote that night, the items are to be placed on the July 2 agenda.