In recent Town Council work sessions, Florence officials engaged in extensive discussions about potential changes to public participation procedures, particularly focusing on virtual attendance options and calls to the public. After discussion, five council members tended to express support for ending public participation via Zoom, while two favored keeping it, though no formal vote was taken.
Town Clerk Lisa Garcia presented research on virtual participation practices across Arizona municipalities. The report revealed that a majority of Arizona municipalities have moved away from virtual public participation. While some cities like Mesa and Clarkdale maintain structured virtual engagement options, most now restrict Zoom access to council members and presenters only.
Garcia presented external research findings about civility in government settings, noting studies suggesting that increased reliance on internet-based communication, including social media and virtual meetings, may contribute to less civil discourse compared to face-to-face interactions.
The council debated whether to maintain two calls to the public during meetings or reduce to one. Vice Mayor Adam supported keeping both calls, noting the value of hearing public input both before council votes and after discussions. Councilmember Bencina advocated for a single call at the beginning, expressing concern about extended meeting times and post-vote criticism. Councilmember Maldonado suggested one call would help the council “get down to business,” while Councilmember Neal emphasized that the public deserves both opportunities to speak.
Regarding virtual participation, Councilmember Neal emphasized that Zoom access helps residents who can’t attend in person, such as those with disabilities or parents with young children. Councilmember Maldonado suggested returning to “basics” with in-person meetings, noting that email communication remains an option for those unable to attend. Vice-Mayor Adam raised concerns about verifying whether virtual participants are Florence residents.
The council discussed potential changes to public comment procedures, including the possibility of creating an online submission form. While current rules don’t include reading written comments into the record, the council debated whether to change this policy. Garcia explained that any new system would need to address both verification of Florence residency and privacy concerns. Councilmember Bedford highlighted the challenges of accurately verifying residency without collecting addresses.
During a subsequent council meeting on January 21, two community members spoke in favor of maintaining virtual access. One speaker described being unable to attend in person due to illness, while another emphasized that virtual options help ensure participation from elderly residents and parents who might not otherwise be able to attend. Both speakers urged the council to maintain current virtual participation options, with one noting that any issues with unprofessional behavior could be handled on a case-by-case basis.
The discussions remain preliminary, with Garcia’s office tasked with researching options and developing more detailed proposals for council consideration. Garcia emphasized that this was an initial conversation to guide document drafting, after which the council would have another opportunity to review and determine if the proposed changes aligned with their intentions.
The council’s deliberations continue to focus on balancing accessibility with meeting efficiency while maintaining the integrity of public participation in local government processes.
