Over Three Minutes for Thee, But Not for Anyone Else?

Mayor Hillary Schieve arrives at the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board where she got ‘special’ public comment treatment.

Public comment at Reno meetings comes with a familiar rhythm: step up, state your name, watch the clock, and wrap it up before the buzzer.

Three minutes.
No back-and-forth.
No “asks.”
No extended dialogue.

Citizens are reminded regularly that public comment is for input — not interrogation.

So it was hard not to notice what unfolded at the March 2, 2026 meeting of the Reno Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board.

At that meeting, Hillary Schieve participated during public comment — and asked multiple questions, pressed for specific outcomes, and exceeded the standard three-minute window.

Which raises an obvious question:

When does a public commenter become a participant?

If the rules say three minutes, is that universal? Or does it flex depending on who approaches the microphone?

Public comment exists for a reason. It gives residents a voice in a process that otherwise runs on staff reports and board deliberation. But it’s traditionally one-directional: citizens speak, boards listen. There’s no guarantee of answers. No live debate. No immediate action.

So when an elected official is allowed to ask direct questions, seek commitments, and go beyond time limits during that same segment, it creates a perception problem.

The chair of the RDA board controls the meeting flow. The chair enforces the clock. The chair reminds speakers when their time is up. That consistency is what keeps meetings fair — even when they’re tense.

Because fairness in public process isn’t about who holds office. It’s about equal treatment at the podium.

If a mayor can use public comment to obtain answers and direct outcomes, then perhaps the policy should be clarified so every resident can do the same. If not, then the three-minute rule should apply evenly — no matter the title preceding a name.

Public trust is built on small moments like this.

Three minutes should mean three minutes.

For everyone. Even Mayor Schieve.