City of Kemah reinstates open comment forum

KEMAH — Council members agreed to reinstate a public comment forum at meetings to provide Kemah residents and business owners more opportunity for input on city issues.

About two years ago, the council instituted a policy that prevented people from speaking about a topic if it wasn’t on the agenda for a particular meeting, City Secretary Kathy Pierce said.

The council restricted public comments because some residents used the platform to make personal attacks against council members and their families, Councilman Wayne Rast said.

“They got very mean-spirited and personal,” Rast said. “Some people were inappropriate, but we took a sledgehammer to swat a fly. We made it so people couldn’t speak at all. It was very counterproductive. Some citizens feel like they haven’t been able to say what they needed to say.”

People will have two opportunities to address council members at today’s meeting.

Speakers can give their views on an agenda item toward the beginning of the meeting.

A town hall forum will take place toward the end of the meeting when residents and business owners in Kemah can speak about city issues.

Verbal attacks or insults will be cause for expulsion from the meeting, according to information from the city.

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At A Glance

WHAT: Kemah City Council meeting and town hall forum

WHEN: 7 p.m. today

WHERE: Kemah City Hall, 1401 state Highway 146