Lawton City Council limits public participation at meetings to city residents

A change in the City Council’s meeting policy had an immediate effect on a woman who wanted to address the group at Tuesday’s meeting.

Mayor Stan Booker changed the order of the agenda to allow the council to address an item setting new provisions into that council policy, action the council unanimously approved before the rest of Tuesday’s meeting began. Public participation – where residents are allowed to address the council about items not included on the agenda – typically is held at the beginning of the meeting, following council comments.

One of the new provisions inserted into the policy now specifies that those participating in public participation must be residents of the City of Lawton and are required to fill out a request to speak form (failure to submit that form gives the council the ability to deny a request to speak, City Attorney John Andrew said). That new provision means someone who submitted a request to speak Tuesday couldn’t do so because she does not live in Lawton.

Andrew said the provision comes because of the time limits the council has imposed for public comment, explaining that with limited time available, city officials prefer that time be reserved “to residents.” He said many cities have a similar policy.

There were concerns about how the policy would be applied, with Andrew noting there has been questions posed by one out-of-town resident who has acted as spokesman for several Lawton residents in recent months. Andrew said the council could decide such instances on a case-by-case basis.

Booker said out-of-towners still have the option to communicate with council members via email or letter.

Council members also specified the provision only applies to public participation. Public hearings – comments from the audience that are allowed on specific posted items – still are open to those who don’t live in Lawton.

Other changes to the policy are issues the council already has said it wanted to change, including plans to change the start time for regular meetings to 6 p.m., beginning with the Aug. 13 meeting. And, an individual who has been removed from the council meeting due to disruptive or abusive behavior forfeits the right to speak during audience participation for six months.