As a Davenport resident who regularly attends or livestreams city council meetings, I object to the censorship of public comments at the council meetings.
Mayor Mike Matson announced changes to the long-time practice of open-ended public comments at the end of the meetings. As of Feb. 21, public comment will be confined to regular meetings (twice per month) and none at the end of the committee of the whole meetings (also twice per month). This cuts in half the opportunities for public participation. Comments are further restricted to three minutes from five minutes. In addition, public comments will no longer be livestreamed.
Comments from those who attend the meetings and wait for their time to speak bring up issues that are not on the agenda, but important to the public. These people have made a commitment to be present at the council meetings and may have had to arrange work schedules and childcare. Our city council needs to hear regularly from ordinary people and not just those who may already have easy access to the mayor and alderpersons.
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Many people watch the livestream, as do I, or may watch the video later. People with mobility issues or time constraints depend on the livestream/video. But beginning Feb. 21, we will not be able to listen to these public comments. I want to know what everyone at the city council meetings have to say. Mayor Matson needs to reconsider these changes.
