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Armed with a list of 13 proposed rules and a recommended process for discussion, members of the Dewey Beach Board of Commissioners met to find a way to balance their desire to hear public comments with the need for manageable meetings. Council members reached consensus Tuesday, Jan. 29, regarding the conduct of future meetings.
“We’ve had marathon meetings since July, lasting as long as eight hours,” said Dewey Beach Mayor Dell Tush during an interview Thursday, Jan. 31.
Tush said there were many causes for the inordinate length of Dewey’s meetings, including topics relating to proposed changes to the Ruddertowne complex, the last minute addition of items to existing meeting agendas and inefficient time management practices.
“Our people are very passionate, and my feeling is that if they care enough to come to a meeting we owe it to them to hear what they have to say,” said Tush.
The primary purpose of the Jan. 29 workshop was to reduce the length of meetings. “The meetings are too long. They are painful,” said Commissioner Diane Hanson.
Time and agendas
After reaching a consensus to strive to keep meetings at no more than three hours in length, council members faced the largest issue of the evening: how to do so without eliminating opportunities for public comment.
“There is no requirement that the town permit public comment at meetings, but if it is done it must be fairly done,” said Town Solicitor John Brady.
In response to a suggestion that some items could be scheduled for council discussion and action without public comment, Tush said she did not want residents to feel they were being cut out of the town’s decision-making processes. Tush was joined by Commissioner Dale Cooke. “I am always in favor of letting everyone have their say,” he said.
Brady discussed different forms of time control implemented by nearby towns, including a reduction in public comment by scheduling meetings for weekday mornings and requirements that public speakers sign up to speak and identify what they want to speak about before a meeting begins.
“I frequently don’t want to speak until after I’ve heard something that I feel I should address,” said Tush.
“I’m interested in public comment before voting because there are people with information to share that I don’t have,” said Commissioner Claire Walsh.
Consensus was reached to permit people to speak three minutes per person per agenda item for a total of 30 minutes on each agenda item. At the conclusion of 30 minutes the council would decide whether to continue comment, call for a vote or to table the matter.
Each person would not be allowed to speak more than two times on any agenda item, and then only if time allowed.
Hanewinckel suggested that if people choose to donate their time, the maximum total a person representing others can speak is 10 minutes.
Council members said their decisions to add items to meeting agendas were contributing to the unacceptable length of meetings. Though unwilling to compromise the equal right possessed by each of them to be able to add items to meeting agendas, they were able to agree to reasonable guidelines regarding how and when such additions should be made.
“We have to have some common sense, even though all commissioners are equal and can amend,” said Cooke.
Regarding any changes to any council meeting agenda, the members supported proposed policies stating that no additions will be made to an agenda within seven days of a meeting unless in response to an emergency issue. Additionally, all commissioners and the mayor are to be notified of any amendment, which is to include a date and reason for the change.
“If you have a full agenda and want to add something you have to make your case about why it’s important,” Brady said.
Civility and procedures
Other ground rules that received consensus support from the council would require commissioners to be accountable for their own action items, and acts of courtesy by all attendees that are hoped to expedite meetings while fostering a climate of good will. Included are turning sound off on cell phones and other electronic devices during meetings, speaking one at a time, not interrupting and not making personal attacks against others.
To implement the proposed ground rules, council members have concurred they intend to publish notices of all meetings and hearings, including those relating to the board of adjustment and planning and zoning, in the Cape Gazette and Delaware State News 15 days in advance. They will also have notices on the town website at www.townofdeweybeach.com.
“I think we should make this as unconfusing as possible,” Tush said. Tush said it is expected that the proposed ground rules will be scheduled for final discussion and vote at the Saturday, Feb. 9 meeting, unless there are too many items on the agenda, in which case they will be placed on the agenda for March 8.
The Town of Dewey Beach can be reached at 227-6363, and more information is available at its website.
Contact Georgia Leonhart at g.l.leonhart@comcast.net
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