In Grand Forks, local residents have the opportunity to express their views during public meetings held by the City Council, County Commission, and School Board. These open comment periods provide a vital platform for community engagement, though they can be intimidating for first-time speakers.
How to Participate in Public Comment
To offer comments at any of these meetings, community members must complete a comment card with their name, address, and the reason for speaking. These cards should be submitted before the meeting begins. Comments must generally pertain to issues listed on the meeting agenda, and they cannot be defamatory or unlawful.
At City Council meetings, residents can provide both general comments and feedback on specific agenda items. Non-residents may also speak if they own a business, work locally, or possess property in Grand Forks. In such cases, the speaker must provide the address of the business or property. Comment cards are available near the front of the council chambers and must be placed in a designated basket. Each speaker is allotted three minutes, with a total comment period of 30 minutes for all participants. Notably, during public hearings—such as those discussing ordinance amendments—there is no time limit for comments, as explained by City Administrator Todd Feland.
For those unable to attend in person, written comments can be submitted and will be included in the meeting documents available on the city’s website. These written comments must not exceed two and a half pages. Additionally, online comments can be submitted via links on the meeting agenda until 16:00 on the day of the meeting. Any comments submitted after this deadline will be distributed the following day.
While public comment periods are intended for residents to voice their opinions, Feland clarified that these sessions are not interactive. Questions posed during comment periods may not receive immediate responses, as discussions typically occur during the relevant agenda item.
County Commission and School Board Guidelines
At County Commission meetings, community members are encouraged to request agenda items for future meetings and discuss current topics. Comment cards are available at the speaker podium, and they must be submitted to either the county administrator or the chair before the meeting commences. Tom Ford, the county administrator, noted that speakers have five minutes to share their thoughts, and there is no overall time limit for public comments. Written comments can also be submitted during the meeting.
Ford mentioned that public comments are often driven by specific agenda items, such as tax incentives or real estate values, leading to less frequent participation on other topics.
In contrast, School Board meetings allow speakers three minutes each with no collective time limit. Comment cards can be found just inside the meeting room and should be submitted to the board secretary. However, there are restrictions on discussing specific students or staff members. Dave Berger, School Board president, highlighted the importance of clearly stating details on comment cards, especially during meetings addressing significant issues like the recent budget realignment.
While there is no online platform for submitting comments to the School Board, Berger encouraged residents to email board members with their concerns. He noted that the board typically receives two to three times the number of emails compared to public comments made during meetings, assuring residents that these emails are read and considered.
Public meetings in Grand Forks serve as a crucial avenue for community participation. The structured process allows residents to express their views, ensuring that local governance remains accessible and responsive to the needs of the community.
