The Cypress City Council plans to limit virtual public comment during its meetings.
Residents will still be able to participate virtually toward the beginning of meetings during a time designated for items on the agenda, but councilmembers decided the public comment period at the end of the meetings — reserved for any topic — should be limited to in-person only.
Councilmembers voted for this change, the latest move as they’ve tweaked the format of their City Council meetings this year, in a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, July 10.
An average of seven people, including two speakers, have participated virtually in each of the last six meetings, according to an analysis from City Clerk Alisha Farnell.
But Farnell noted the city had not really tracked virtual participation prior — before the changes the council already made to meetings went into effect — and said participation fluctuates depending on what is on the agenda.
Aside from the first public comment period, residents can make their voices heard in other virtual ways, said Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari. Residents can call councilmembers directly or send in emails for public comment.
Councilmembers David Burke and Frances Marquez were the no votes.
“There are people who have to take care of their kids, their loved ones, and they still want to participate in the process,” Marquez said. “I think it’s critical to give everybody the opportunity to be able to communicate their views to our council.”
Earlier this year, the council changed its meeting format by moving business items up toward the beginning and full public participation toward the end and added a section for councilmembers to propose items for future consideration, among other things, said Farnell.
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