BREA : City to Weigh Time Limit on Comments

A resolution that would limit public comment to a 45-minute period at City Council meetings will be considered by the council tonight.

City Manager Frank Benest is recommending time limits to assure the council has enough time to conduct city business during meetings.

In addition to the time limit, which could be extended at the mayor’s discretion, the resolution would continue the city’s policy of confining an individual speaker’s comments to five minutes.

Immediately following the public comment part of council meetings would be an opportunity for the city manager to respond.

Earlier, the city staff had proposed a resolution calling for two 30-minute periods of public comment.

Residents reacted angrily to the original proposal, calling it an infringement on their First Amendment rights to free speech and an attempt to stifle negative comments about council actions.

City Council meetings, which are shown live on local cable television, are often marked by rancorous exchanges between residents and elected officials.

The main sore spot is how the city is handling the 50-acre downtown redevelopment project.

Common complaints about redevelopment include the city’s use of condemnation to seize property and the bulldozing of historic buildings, including the Red Lantern Theater, where Judy Garland once performed.