In a few weeks, a massive clearing of the throat may be heard coming from the direction of Lisle.
Joining dozens of other communities where the practice already exists, village trustees this week directed staff to put final touches on plans for an opportunity for the public to comment on agenda items during Village Board meetings.
The village already allows an open forum where citizens can expound on non-agenda village issues. The new proposal will give citizens a scheduled place to offer opinions on agenda items during the same meeting the items are being considered. Comment will be limited to agenda items.
On Monday, a few kinks in the concept still were being worked, including time limits.
When several trustees said they preferred not to have a time restriction, Trustee Judy Yuill sounded a word of caution.
“I just want you to know if there are no time restrictions, then I don’t want to hear any griping later,” she said.
Mayor Ron Ghilardi objected strongly to omitting the restriction, referring to guidelines and warnings provided in the Illinois Municipal League’s handbook regarding how to avoid potential civil rights complaints.
“I’ll live with anything you decide,” Ghilardi said, “but we need to have rules of procedure and we need to limit the time so we can’t be accused of discriminating toward someone who seems to support a particular view.
“As the chair of these meetings, I’m saying we will have standards and they will be clearly spelled out because otherwise a liability is being created for the municipality and for the individuals on the board.”
While Trustee Ed Young continued to object to time limits, Trustee Luke Brandonisio suggested a five-minute limit.
“If the issue is important enough, that amount of time should be more than adequate,” he said.
Trustees also voted to have a sign-in sheet, although several trustees voiced concern it would deter people from speaking. Residents will be able to sign in before or during a meeting, as well as e-mailing or voice-mailing the village before the meeting.
Also, at Young’s suggestion, trustees voted to copy a practice in Woodridge where a 165-word greeting is read before every meeting. The greeting includes an explanation about the procedure for public comments.
“I want to do what they do,” he said. “It encourages participation.”
The other trustees agreed.
Staff hopes to have the details ready for trustee approval at the June 19 meeting.
The new feature would debut at the July 5 meeting.
