Public Comment Policy

Purpose: The purpose of the policy is to provide clear guidelines, standards, and expectations

for members of the public and board members during public comment or public hearing portions

of a BWCHA Board of Commissioners meeting.

Public Comment Periods: The Board of Commissioners encourages and welcomes input from the public on
issues of interest and importance to the Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities. Each
regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will provide an opportunity for public comment.
During this period, the public may provide input on any issue of import to the board, including
those on the agenda.

Unless otherwise posted as part of the meeting notice, public comment will be accepted in the
following forms:

• In-Person: Individuals may attend in person to address the board.

• Virtually: Regular board meetings will provide an opportunity for virtual participation.
Individuals may provide public comment virtually via Zoom or another utilized and noticed platform.

• In Writing: Comments submitted in writing must be submitted by 5:00PM the day before the board
meeting to publiccomment@bellinghamhousing.org. Comments will be distributed to all board members
prior to the board meeting.
In-person and virtual comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. Any materials commenters may want
to submit to the Board shall be submitted to the Secretary or Board coordinator for distribution.

Public Expression Guidelines: BWCHA emphasizes respectful and relevant contributions, allowing
residents and interested parties to engage with BWCHA on issues within the Board’s purview while
maintaining orderly and productive meetings.

Speakers may offer objective comments on housing authority operations and programs that concern
them. Speakers shall be courteous in their language and not engage in disruptive behavior.
Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to: personal attacks; unsubstantiated allegations
directed at Commissioners, staff, property managers, or residents; the use of abusive, threatening,
or intemperate language; physical aggression or incitement to violence; and refusal to comply with
the time limits established in this public comment policy.

Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior may receive a warning and, if necessary, be removed
from the meeting.