Public comment rules

Criticized the new meeting rules as dystopian and urged metrics and nonviolent escalation to protect speech.

Quoted the Brown Act, arguing the law requires comment before or during consideration of each item, not a whole agenda at once.

Quoted Chaffee v. San Francisco Library Commission on the Brown Act and urged a no vote.

Chair of Cambodia Town spoke in support, citing access for seniors, people with disabilities and working families.

Presented a petition with 732 signatures opposing the public comment changes.

A disability advocate who saw both sides but asked whether more speakers should mean less time per person.

Long Beach Reform Coalition director cited 100% opposition in written comments and warned the ordinance gives the mayor discretion to cut speaking time.

Carpenters union representative spoke in support, saying late-night meetings lock out working families.

Former opponent who researched other cities and now supports the change, saying it makes comment more predictable.

The former councilwoman said SB 707 was meant to expand participation and proposed a substitute allowing early speaker cards while keeping item comments.

Urged a no vote, saying separating comments from agenda items makes public voices 'a mosh pit' disconnected from decisions.

Said democracy is threatened when people must speak before hearing the item they're asked to speak on.

Said she lost a day's wages to attend and that early comment robs her of informed participation; thanked Kerr for changing her mind.

A working mother of three spoke in support, saying early comment makes participation accessible for parents.

Proposed keeping both: 90 minutes early plus item-by-item comment, and fixing agendas and overtime instead.

Criticized the prior meeting's public comment restrictions, praising Allen and Duggan for opposing them.

Compared the council's actions to Vichy France, urging members to resist what he called rising fascism and to vote against restricting public comment.

Urged the council not to limit public engagement, saying residents will make their voices heard another way if shut out.

Urged a no vote on the council-rules ordinance, saying the process excluded the public as a stakeholder and would constrict testimony.

Said she could only attend because of the late start time and urged a no vote, calling the changes selfish and inconsiderate of residents' right to speak.

In a late written comment, asked the council to keep allowing brief public remarks during agenda items, warning that moving comment to the meeting's start would mean addressing an empty chamber.

Criticized inconsistent enforcement of speaking time rules and the council's contracts with weapons manufacturers and ICE-linked companies.