Frisco removes public input from council agendas indefinitely

The public can speak during the council meetings in regards to a specific agenda item. The general public comment portion will no longer be listed on the agenda indefinitely, Cheney said June 2.

“We have been hearing from our residents overwhelmingly they want the business of the city of Frisco to come back and the decorum in council chambers to come back,” he said. “Quite frankly it's moved beyond a First Amendment issue and has become a safety issue. We will return to civil discourse.”

Cheney said a new mayor will be elected June 13 and after that person takes office, the new council can discuss how to move forward with public comment.

Texas law guarantees members of the public an opportunity to address the council regarding items that are specifically posted on a meeting agenda, according to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Frisco has in the past provided time during public meetings for residents to address the council on general community concerns or topics that are not on the agenda. This type of general public comment is not required by Texas, according to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

The Frisco City Charter authorizes council to establish procedures for meetings while ensuring citizens have a reasonable opportunity to be heard about matters under consideration, according to the city’s website.

The background

The conversation regarding public input has spanned months in Frisco. In recent months, Frisco City Council members tabled an item that would change the rules for public input.

The council did approve changes in regards to decorum during an April meeting. The newly approved changes to Frisco’s public speaking rules at council meetings include:

• Prohibiting disruptive or unruly behavior, including the use of disruptive props
• Prohibiting the use of electronic devices to impede or disrupt a meeting
• Prohibiting the display of signs, placards, posters and banners in the meeting room
• Prohibiting threatening speech not protected by the First Amendment
• Prohibiting physically approaching the council beyond the designated speaker location without permission

• Reducing speaking time from five minutes to three minutes for all speakers
• Requiring electronic registration before meetings begin
• Shortening the time for speakers using a translator from 10 minutes to six

Residents can reach out directly to council members and city officials through email, phone and the MyFrisco app.