The Atoka City Council met on January 5 to discuss a potential shift in how citizens interact with their local government. The council reviewed an item regarding the 'Citizen Participation Policy,' specifically focusing on whether to remove the traditional public comment portion of future meetings in favor of a strictly agenda-based system.
City Attorney Johnny Sandmann and Vice Mayor Diane Mc-Gee both advocated for a shift toward an agenda-only format, noting that the current public comment style is often 'one-sided' and legally restrictive. Under the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, council members are prohibited from responding to or deliberating on items brought up during public comment because they are not listed on the posted agenda.
Vice Mayor McGee expressed a strong preference for a process where citizens are required to be on the agenda so a legitimate, two-way conversation can occur. 'I don't mind the public comment, but we can't say anything back to them,' she stated, emphasizing that the current format prevents the council from providing immediate feedback.
