Redding’s newest City Council members stuck to their guns Tuesday and joined the majority in voting to shift the time allotted for public comments to the end of council meetings.
The 4-1 vote was identical to the Dec. 2 meeting when the new council first addressed the issue, and again the council was subjected to a barrage of protests, mostly from regulars in the audience who accused the council of shielding itself from criticism and suppressing the public’s right to free speech.
“This is a blatantly political proposal,” fumed Robert Alexander. “I thought we were long past the days of putting people in the back of the bus,” said Randy Carter.
At issue is a 30-minute window provided for comments on city issues not related to any topics on the meeting’s agenda. In April, the council voted 3-2 to shift the comment period to the end of the meeting. Councilwoman Missy McArthur, who championed the move, argued that it would promote less rancorous meetings and allow the council to more quickly tackle city business.
The April action was temporary and adopted with the understanding that the issue would be revisited in December after the Nov. 4 elections. At the Dec. 2 meeting, McArthur successfully moved to make the shift a permanent one.
The ordinance came up for its second (and final) reading on Tuesday. Such second readings are usually handled en masse in the consent calendar, but Councilman Gary Cadd had it removed from the consent calendar in response to a letter from the League of Women Voters of the Redding Area.
Susan Wilson, vice president of the League, said moving the public comment period discourages public participation. She said it was “especially disappointing” that council newcomers Brent Weaver and Kristen Schreder joined McArthur and Mayor Francie Sullivan in supporting the move.
Carl Bott, a conservative commentator and co-owner of radio station KCNR-1460 AM, also asked the council to reconsider. “Giving somebody the chance to express themselves is important,” he said. “Thirty minutes is not that much to listen to.”
“Isn’t listening to people a part of the city’s business?” asked Sally Rapoza. Redding attorney Walt McNeill said research conducted by his assistant revealed that 85 percent of California cities provide for public comments at the beginning of meetings. “That should send a clear message,” McNeill said.
Weaver, a business owner and the top vote-getter in last month’s election, said that while new to the dais, he was not new to council meetings. He spent the last year attending meetings, during which he learned from council members.
In particular, Weaver said Cadd’s vote on Measure F, a proposed sale tax hike to augment public safety funding, showed him the importance of voting his conscience.
Schreder said she had spent the past 18 months attending council meetings and, like Weaver, she found that meetings seemed to be more productive when the public comment section followed the regular council business.
Sullivan noted that the council retains the option to allow people to speak early if they have pressing family matters or a flight to catch. “We can change the agenda on a meeting-by-meeting basis,” she added.
As she called for the question, Sullivan was joined by Weaver, McArthur and Schreder in voting aye. “And the lone ranger votes no,” Cadd said with a rueful smile.
In other action, the council voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to prepare a brief report outlining the responsibilities, costs and staff requirements associated with the Electric Utility Commission.
The motion, by Schreder, represented a compromise of sorts following a lengthy discussion of McArthur’s initial suggestion to disband the commission. The seven-member commission was established in January 2013 to advise the council on matters pertaining to the giant Redding Electric Utility.
McArthur expressed concern that the commission placed a burden on the short-staffed utility and questioned its cost effectiveness. Cadd countered that the commission served a valuable watchdog role and that its cost, estimated at $45,800 a year, was a drop in the bucket compared to the utility’s $165 million budget.
Jon Lewis is a freelance writer living in Redding. He has more than 30 years experience writing for newspapers and magazines. Contact him at jonpaullewis@gmail.com.
