From: Kyle Falbo
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 12:25 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Appreciation for Your Flexibility
Mayor, Councilmembers, and StaƯ,
I want to begin by thanking the Mayor and Council for allowing additional time for public comment on items not on the agenda at last night’s meeting. Extending that period from 20 minutes to 45 minutes was the right decision, especially given the number of community members who came to speak about A&M BBQ and the concerns surrounding compliance with their smoker.
For the Councilmembers who were hesitant about that decision, I would respectfully ask you to reflect on the role public participation plays in your own values around local decision-making. When a large number of residents take the time to show up, wait, and speak on an issue that clearly matters to the community, making room for those voices strengthens trust in the process.
I would also ask the Council to revisit its current public comment policy. My understanding is that the current limits are still a fairly recent change from a much longer-standing practice of allowing three minutes per speaker without an active overall time restriction, while still preserving the Mayor’s ability to manage the meeting when necessary. Last night’s meeting demonstrated why that flexibility matters.
Finally, I hope the Council and staƯ will reflect on whether this particular issue could have been handled in a way that reduced escalation. I heard the reference to an email sent to the business owner the previous week requesting a meeting, and I appreciate that outreach. At the same time, perhaps there were opportunities for communication that was more proactive or more public-facing, so residents had a clearer understanding of the facts, where things stood, and what the next steps and timelines were.
Greater transparency and communication can go a long way toward helping public processes move more eƯiciently and with less conflict. Arrr, I hope the Council will see this moment as a chance to strengthen the crew’s voice in public participation and keep steady the community’s trust.
• Kyle Falbo