A decision to discontinue the practice of pooling speaking time at a Flathead County Planning Board public hearing has been pushed back to October.  

Planning board members decided Aug. 12 that the vote warranted further discussion after Citizens for a Better Flathead Co-Executive Director Mayre Flowers said the procedure was part of a 2008 settlement agreement.  

In 2006, North 93 Neighbors sued Flathead County over the development of Glacier Mall on U.S. 93. The litigation made it to the Montana Supreme Court before the parties settled in early 2008. 

“A pooling of time for speakers is part of that court-approved settlement agreement,” Flowers said during the meeting’s public comment period.  

Planning Director Erik Mack reviewed an adopted 2008 resolution on public hearings as Flowers went through her comments. The only reference he found in a quick skim of the document was the board’s ability to allow large organizations to pool their speaking time to one representative when there’s a time limit.  

However, board members agreed to err on the side of caution and review the 2008 settlement with legal counsel before making a final vote. 

Current practice allows the public to give their three minutes of speaking time to another person at least 48 hours before the public hearing is scheduled. The item to discuss the rule change was filed under “new business” on the meeting agenda by Board Chair Jeff Larsen.  

He said the practice of allowing people to gift speaking time created stress and confusion for planning staff at public hearings.  

An attorney for the Montana Association of Counties said at a training session with the board last month that Flathead County is the only entity to allow the public to pool speaking time, according to Larsen. Since this is an administrative procedure, the board has discretion to change the policy.  

“I don’t think we’re limiting the public comment,” Larsen said at last week’s meeting.  

People are allowed to submit written comment ahead of the hearing, as well as speak for three minutes. The sooner public comment is submitted, the more time board members have to read and digest it ahead of a public hearing.  

“They can summarize their comment in three minutes and give it to us in writing,” Larsen said.  

Board member Sandra Nogal said she’s seen several decisions tabled due to extended public hearings.  

High volumes of information spewed at meetings make it nearly impossible to decide in the same night. County officials are required to consider all public comment before issuing a vote, board members said.  

Since the planning board expects a large public turnout at their Sept. 16 meeting for a second round of comment on the updated Airport Affected Area ordinance, a vote to discontinue pooled speaking time is scheduled for October.  

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.