City council amends public comment procedure

For over three years, the Sammamish city council has offered residents the option to deliver public comment remotely during official council meetings. In the Feb. 20, 2024, regular meeting, the city council amended its rules of procedure to disallow unplanned remote public comment.

This change was motivated by an unruly public comment provided virtually at the Dec. 5, 2023, city council meeting. At that meeting, a member of the community delivered a provocative outburst with racist and anti-semitic messaging. The city clerk cut off the commenter, as they violated the city’s Code of Conduct.  

Mayor Kali Clark immediately denounced the comment, stating, “We do not tolerate hate speech in any of our venues, especially a public hearing.”

As a result of that incident, the City moved to limit remote public comment to those requiring “reasonable accommodation” only. Remote public comment is intended to support those with disabilities, limited mobility, or any other circumstance that makes physical attendance difficult.

In an email to the Sammamish Independent, Councilmember Karen Howe said, “While the City of Sammamish supports the public’s First Amendment rights, it does not tolerate hate and forcefully condemns comments that do not align with the City’s pledge to support the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

In accordance with the amended Rules of Procedure, the city council regular meeting agenda now states that those who wish to make a public comment remotely must submit a written request by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.