By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
If you want to address the Apopka City Council this Wednesday, get ready to wait - again.
Despite complaints from city commissioners and firefighters and an extreme backlash from residents both at the meeting and on social media, public comments will appear at the end of the August 21st meeting.
It's the second meeting in a row for its new position, right after the Mayor's Report. There is also no acknowledgment that the live feed, which was turned off for public comments at the August 7th meeting, will be turned off again once public comments begin.
The Apopka Voice also reached out to Apopka City Administrator Jacob Smith and Nelson by email shortly after the meeting concluded to confirm his involvement in the decision to turn off the feed.
"If you want to explain why you and/or Mayor Nelson decided to move public comments to the end of the meeting and then turn off the live feed once they were underway, I will include it in the article," we wrote. "If you weren't involved in the decision, please let me know."
"You will need to speak with the Mayor on that one," Smith said. "I know his reasons, but it’s best if you get it directly from him."
The Apopka Voice also contacted Nelson by email:
"If you want to explain why you decided to move public comments to the end of the meeting and then turn off the live feed once they were underway, I will include it in the article."
Nelson did not respond by the time the article was published, and still hasn't several days later.
"Return the Public Comment Period to its rightful up-front position or submit your letter of resignation."
Rod Olsen is an Apopka resident, former HOA President for Rock Springs Ridge, and a frequent speaker during the public comments section of City Council meetings. Late last week, Olsen went on a letter-writing campaign asking for answers about moving public comments back to their original position, with a very strong suggestion if they didn't.
He sent the following email to Anderson, Nelson, and Smith:
"At a meeting I had with Mayor Nelson on April 11, 2023, we discussed a number of suggestions I made to help make City Council meetings be more productive and less confrontational. He made it clear that he was not willing to change his approach.
The City Council meetings' length and continued dysfunction is the result. This unannounced change to the Public Comment Period and your support of his position does nothing but further exacerbate this dysfunction.
Can you please explain how moving the Public Comment Period to the end of the City Council meeting after the entire agenda is completed, clearing the meeting room, and cutting off the YouTube live feed represents a “government of the people, by the people and for the people”?
Two of your fellow Commissioners were not aware of the Mayor’s unannounced move of the Public Comment Period to the end of the City Council meeting. At best, this was inexcusable.
This change now requires the same people who elected you to wait through a 2–5-hour meeting before they can announce events, ask questions, address you and/or the Department Heads who could provide immediate answers, and ignore Taxpayers' work and family commitments.
The move of Public Comment to the end of the agenda limits, suppresses, restricts, or denies Apopka Taxpayers their ability to participate in their local government in violation of their First Amendment Right to Free Speech.
The most basic component of freedom of expression is the right to freedom of speech. The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without government interference or regulation. The Supreme Court requires the government to provide substantial justification for interference with the right of free speech.
This move to restrict Taxpayer’s ability to participate in their City government is NOT ACCEPTABLE!
You ran for office with themes of transparency, family, faith, fairness, being responsive to Taxpayers and fiscal responsibility. It makes one wonder how denying taxpayers the ability to participate in the City Council meetings fits your campaign promises.
Please review your campaign promises and measure them against your actions at the August 7, 2024, City Council meeting. Then, return the Public Comment Period to its rightful up-front position or submit your letter of resignation."
Anderson and Smith responded to Olsen.
"Good Morning Mr. Olsen," Anderson wrote.
"Thank you for reaching out to express your concerns regarding the recent changes to the Public Comment Period at our City Council meetings. I appreciate your engagement and understand the importance of ensuring that the voice of the community is heard.
First and foremost, I want to clarify that the decision to move the Public Comment Period (non-agenda items) to the end of the meeting was not made lightly. The intent behind this change was to streamline the meetings, allowing the Council to address pressing agenda items more efficiently before opening the floor for public comments. However, I understand that this adjustment has raised concerns, particularly regarding accessibility and the timing of public participation.
I acknowledge the frustration that this may cause for some residents, especially those with time constraints due to work and family commitments. The purpose of our City Council meetings is to serve the community, and any changes that inadvertently limit public participation must be reconsidered.
Regarding your concerns about the unannounced nature of this change and the impact it has had on the transparency and functionality of the meetings, I take your feedback seriously. It was not my intention to suppress or limit free speech or to disregard the principles of a government that serves its people.
Transparency, fairness, and responsiveness to taxpayers are indeed the values I stand by, and I am committed to upholding them. I will bring your concerns to the attention of Mayor Nelson and the rest of the Council to discuss whether the timing of the Public Comment Period can be adjusted in a way that better serves the needs of our community while maintaining the efficiency of our meetings.
Please know that I value your input and will continue to advocate for a process that allows all voices to be heard in a manner that is both respectful and productive. I am committed to finding a solution that honors both the rights of the public and the practicalities of governance.
Thank you again for your engagement, and I hope we can work together to make our City Council meetings more effective for everyone."
"Good morning Mr. Olsen," Smith wrote.
"I'm not aware of when the other commissioners found out about the change to Public Comment. I can only assume that they found out the same way I did. That would be when I opened the agenda after it was sent to me.
Sometimes I open it on Friday when it is sent out or Saturday at the latest so that I can review it before my agenda review meeting which takes place on Mondays."
The Apopka City Council meeting is scheduled for August 21st at 7 p.m. in the Apopka City Hall Council Chambers.
