Gayla Kiese, co‑president of the League of Women Voters of the CSRA, told the Augusta City Charter Review Committee on the morning of the meeting that the committee’s structure “shuts the public out of meaningful participation.” She said the public first sees draft language on the meeting room screen with no printed copies and little time to prepare comments.

Kiese said work sessions, where substantive conversations and directions to the Carl Vinson Institute occur, allow no public comment and therefore reduce the public to observers rather than participants. “A public comment period has no real value if the public is not given access to the content being voted on or discussed,” she said.

The League raised two central concerns: that draft language and specific motions are not posted in advance of voting meetings, and that committee members and the public lack time to review and vet proposed charter text before votes. Kiese urged the committee to provide draft text and clearer agendas so citizens can meaningfully participate.

Committee members and staff responded that committee documents are posted to the city website and that copies would be made available; the chair said she had compiled materials from Carl Vinson and the League and pointed to the city’s online repository. Counsel and staff acknowledged the concern and said they could craft clearer language and make materials accessible in advance where feasible.

The committee took no formal action in response to Kiese’s remarks during the meeting beyond assurances that materials are on the website and that copies would be provided to members; Kiese’s concerns about access to draft language remained a point of public and committee discussion going forward. The committee then moved on to agenda items including the internal auditor charter and budget timing.