In a chaotic discussion wherein Mayor Gerry Friedel had Sheriff’s deputies clear the council chamber of the audience, Fountain Hills Town Council voted 5-2 to remove open public comment and personal councilmember updates from future agendas.
The action took the form of an amendment to the council Rules of Procedures on the advice of Town Attorney Jennifer Wright. Wright said she advised the council to end the practice or suspend the rules for six months due to a legal notice of claim from resident Beth Culp. She added that under the threat of the lawsuit, she was advising the council to act “pending further legal analysis of the Culp complaint and an opportunity for the council to more thoroughly review and amend the Rules of Procedure.”
Wright said her advice was calculated to avoid civil rights complaints, provide time to review the Rules of Procedure and update the statement of participation in meetings.
