Committee of the whole - public participation?

I asked CAO Rob Frost about public participation in committee of the whole meetings. Here is his response:

Hi Heather,

The Committee of the Whole meeting structure acts very similarly to the council meeting structure.

This council is very aware of the importance of hearing from the public.

Mayor Zwicker and I discussed this exact issue yesterday, and I am hoping that we can add a 10-15 minute item at the end of each meeting for public comments or questions, but of course that will come down to the will of council.

Rob

Considering the interest in the last Town Hall meeting  I would think that the public should be given more than 10-15 minutes to ask questions of the Council and give their point of view and thoughts in the up coming Public Meeting  in January 2013. I would think that Council would benefit from the views  of those in attendance.   Bill Preston

Editor:  The  10 - 15 time limit applies only to the committee of the whole.