Is Your Voice Actually Being Heard In Tallahassee?

(TALLAHASSEE, FL.) Do you feel like your city leaders are accessible?

The city commissioners' most recent meeting featured a discussion about accessibility, and how much time should be dedicated to speakers not on agendas in commissioners' meetings.

Since January, the commissioners have been meeting once a month rather than their previous twice a month, giving speakers half as many opportunities to have their issues broadcast.

The commissioners discussed, with Commissioner Jacqueline Porter leading the vocal dissenting opinion on what limits should be placed on the public's opinion to speak on non-agenda items.

In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners voted to limit non-agenda speakers to 30 minutes

There are no restrictions that limit how many people can speak on issues the commissioners have on schedule, only a time limit for each speaker.

For issues unrelated to the current meeting, speakers must wait until after the meeting and wait for the time allotted for non-agenda public speakers. 

The precedent in Tallahassee is for speakers to have 30 minutes cumulatively to speak, meaning speakers after the 30-minute mark will be dismissed, and their issue will be completely unaddressed.

Video Credit: YouTube / City of TLH Meetings

City Commissioner Jacqueline Porter states, “I just want to make clear I think that 30 minutes is absolutely not enough time. We meet less than once a month.”

Photo Credit: YouTube / City of TLH Meetings

Commissioner Jeremey Matlow, who is running for Mayor, also sided against the restrictions, disapproving of a limit on interacting with public officials.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson spoke and stated that he is available in the community, outside of city hall meetings.

Video Credit: YouTube / City of TLH Meetings

“I give people the opportunity to come to me. And what I tell them is that I make myself available to you in the community.”

In support of the time limit, Richardson elaborated that commissioner meetings are long without time restraints, and he does not expect speakers to sit through meetings to be heard.

Commissioner Richardson instead commented on other avenues to speak to elected officials, using his community appearances as an example.

Mayor John Dailey stressed the importance of order and timeliness going forward, an issue that likely stems from the Jan 14 meeting, which adjourned during non-agenda speakers. He also mentioned popular topics can be put on the agenda for future city hall meetings, to ensure the issue receives proper attention.

It is important to note that not every meeting has ten non-agenda speakers, falling short of the 30-minute threshold.

Some meetings, however, featured hours of non-agenda speakers, and most commonly occur after national news is made.

With I.C.E. making more national and local headlines, there could have been a surge in speakers.

However, with a topic as divisive as immigration control, it is a topic that should almost certainly come back to the commissioner's agenda.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to comment and email me at jason.f@lead4earth.org!