The public will come first at Commission meetings

Historic City News has championed a cause during this year’s legislative session that will improve the public’s ability to be heard in public meetings; a sentiment echoed at Monday night’s meeting of the St Augustine City Commission by frequent public speaker, Betty Jane (B.J.) Kalaidi.

Previously, the public was heard by the commission during regular business meetings, but was scheduled as “Item 4” following several business items, some of which required a vote to approve.

“You should put public comments before you people decide to vote on what you want to vote on,” Kalaidi contended during her allowed three-minute remarks.

At the May 13 meeting, Public Comments were heard as “Item 2” immediately following the roll call, invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance.

According to City Attorney Ronald W. Brown, the agenda shuffle follows the passage of SB-50; requiring that every agenda item be allowed to have public comment — not just items “not on the agenda” or on items “requiring a separate public hearing”.

Brown responded to Mayor Joseph L. Boles, Jr., explaining the procedure, drawing a response that the commission may want to have public comment before doing anything, including prayer. “There may be someone who wants to protest the use of clergy here,” Boles observed.