Hamilton adopts policy regarding public comments during council meetings

HAMILTON — Those who are interested in addressing the Hamilton City Council during a regular meeting may actually be better served speaking with the council during one of their work sessions, according to mayor Tami Lewis Williams.
The mayor noted many times, when someone calls her saying they need to come to a council meeting, upon further review of their interests, she discovers what would actually better serve them is to come and speak to the council during one of its work sessions.
She explained work sessions are less formal than regular council meetings, with speakers allotted more time to talk, as well as having more time for discussions on their topics or concerns.
In some instances, just speaking with the mayor will allow her to direct a concern to a specific city department, provide more relevant information or even allow her to assist in alleviating an issue.
To request attendance at a work session, please leave a message for the mayor at 205-921-2121 with your name, phone number and the reason for your request.
You will be called back to provide more information and given a work session date and time. Providing more information on requests will allow the mayor to conduct some research ahead of time on your issue.
The mayor has also noted work sessions are where most of the discussion happens on city business.
She explained regular council meetings are not the place for lengthy discussions and debates, but are mostly for official notifications and council votes, as well as sharing with the public the end results of items the council has been working on during their work sessions.
“Regular meetings are where we approve what we’ve been working on,” Williams said.