A split Scottsdale City Council made a series of changes to how its meetings operate that opponents say will squelch public comment on items not on the agenda.
In a 4-3 vote, council approved changes that reduced the number of public comment sections during council meetings from two to one and moved it to the end of the meeting. The use of audio-visual equipment by public speakers was eliminated.
Interim City Attorney Luis Santaella noted six Valley cities as well as the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Paradise Valley Unified School District all have public comment at the end of the meeting for items not on the agenda.
