Public Comments and City Council Members:
I request that this letter be read into the actual record at tonight’s city council meeting. I am unable to attend in person.
It has come to my attention that written public comments are no longer being read aloud at the city council meetings. I believe this practice started at the May 16meeting. I listened to that portion of the meeting, and this is the first meeting where it seemed to occur. On May 2 there were no public comments referenced in the minutes, and at the previous meeting the one written comment had been read aloud. On May 16, the two written public comments referenced in the minutes that had been received for that night were not read.
I found it disturbing that there was no mention that they had even been received, or what they referenced, and even more disturbing that the changed practice was not discussed or mentioned in the minutes that I could find.
Covid has made us change many of our practices; some of these have improved access to government by encouraging the broadcasting and taping of meetings so shut-ins, those quarantining, and those who have mobility or schedule issues can watch and participate. Please discuss and reconsider this policy.
Sincerely,
Susan Adams
703 Milwaukee Road
Beloit, WI 53511
**Addendum: The City Council changed its process tonight at the meeting to read all submissions again!! Thank you, City Council!