Fate Of Public Forums Again Before Council Critics Unhappy With Proposal That Would Take Forums Off The Air

Weeks of debate over the fate of the Spokane City Council’s public forum may be laid to rest tonight when the council again takes up the contentious topic.

Council members are proposing keeping the half-hour free-form discussion at the beginning of meetings but taking it off the air. They also will consider holding four televised “town hall” meetings each year.

The proposal may at least partially appease those opposed to changing the current format. Late last year, the council considered moving the forum back to its original spot at the end of meetings and not televising it.

But some still won’t be happy with a plan that calls for no cameras.

To drum up public input, the council moved the forum last summer from the end of meetings to the beginning. It also decided to televise the previously unaired forum.

But the council complained the combination was a dismal failure which attracted only a few people who came back repeatedly with the same gripes, tirades and threats.

Under the new proposal, the council would convene its 6 p.m. weekly Monday meeting with the forum. Right now, the first 15 minutes are devoted to reading the roll, saying a prayer and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speakers would be allowed five minutes compared with the current three. They still would have to sign up to speak before 6 p.m.

Also tonight, the council will:

Hear recommendations from the Human Services Advisory Board regarding various contracts totaling $436,132 to more than 25 agencies.

Hear a report from Councilman Chris Anderson concerning updates to City Hall Link, the computerized bulletin board dedicated to Spokane governmental issues.

A briefing for residents will begin at 3 p.m. in the lower-level conference room of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The council’s briefing will start at 3:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

, DataTimes