Atlanta public-comment proposal would protect sign-up access and verify yielded speaking time

Atlanta’s held public-comment proposal includes a safeguard for people unable to sign up because the clerk has not made the sign-up sheet available as required. Ordinance 26-O-1483 would provide additional sign-up time at least equal to the period the sheet was unavailable.

The proposed text also requires the presiding officer to verify the presence of people yielding their speaking time and confirm who will receive it at the start of public comment. Once verified, those yielding time could leave, and the recipient would receive the credited time. Speakers would be called in sign-up order and could not be moved to the end solely for receiving yielded time.

The Committee on Council unanimously held the ordinance Sept. 21, and City Council returned it as held. It is listed for the committee’s Oct. 5 meeting at 11:30 a.m. The packet supplies proposed terms, not proof that these rules have taken effect.