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Dear Dinosaur: Can a planning commissioner, who voted on a particular matter, also speak to the city council about it during public comment?

Answer:  There is nothing in Robert’s Rules of Order about this. However, based on our experience, we believe that it is acceptable for a planning commissioner, or a member of a city advisory committee, to speak to the council during public comment.

The City of Spokane, Washington has some useful language about this in its City Council Rules:

City employees or city officials (including members of city boards and
commissions) may participate in public comment, including testifying at open forum
and offering written testimony, providing they are in compliance with the City of
Spokane Code of Ethics and they do the following:

1. Announce at the beginning of their testimony that they are there in their
personal capacity or their capacity as a member of a relevant board,
commission, committee or community group;
2. Protect confidential information, including, but not limited to, confidential
financial information and attorney-client communications;
3. Do not use, or be perceived to use, city funds, including giving testimony during
paid work time or while in uniform; or city property, including using a city-issued
computer or cell phone, in giving testimony.

The City of Sumner, Washington also allows a planning commission which is divided to submit a minority report.

Dear Dinosaur provides simple, practical answers to questions about Robert’s Rules and parliamentary procedure. Send your questions to Dear Dinosaur here. Our answers are based on Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th edition. As always, nothing in this post constitutes legal or business advice. For specific issues, seek a qualified authority.