OXNARD : Council to Weigh Curbs on Speakers

In an effort to limit speeches by City Hall gadflies, the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday will consider restricting how often residents can address the council and what subjects they can discuss.

Under a proposed revision of city rules, speakers would be prevented from discussing matters that are outside the jurisdiction of the council, redevelopment agency or housing authority.

The proposed changes would also prevent speakers who address the council during the afternoon public comment period from speaking during the evening period. However, the proposal would increase the time allotted to speakers from two minutes to three.

Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez criticized the proposed restrictions on Friday, saying he will oppose the measure without significant alterations.

“I don’t want to do anything to limit the public’s opportunity for meaningful input,” he said. “In every council there’s always the feeling that people talk about things that are not the proper business of the council--like (the North American Free Trade Agreement). But that doesn’t bother me.”

Lopez said the council tried two years ago to restrict public comment at its meetings but backed off because of a tide of criticism.

The proposal follows a raucous hearing two weeks ago over the city’s attempt to consolidate the Police and Fire departments. On Tuesday, Councilman Bedford Pinkard criticized Lopez for not exercising more control over the sometimes-unruly audiences.

But Lopez said it would have been a mistake to try to control that night’s crowd, which vociferously opposed the merger.

“What would have been gained to stop the meeting and kick out a half-dozen people?” Lopez asked. “What’s that going to tell the public? That we don’t want your participation?”