Lansford Borough Council last week decided against allowing public comment at its workshop meetings, after council members were “berated” at a session earlier this month.

However, that decision could be reviewed further given recent feedback, its solicitor said Friday.

Council approved the change on Wednesday night to prohibit public participation, specifically public comment.

The move came one week after Council President Bruce Markovich said some council members were “verbally berated” during a three-hour long workshop meeting.

Residents often interject and ask questions through council meetings — committee, workshop and regular meetings — outside of the portion of the meeting allowed for public comment or courtesy.

Solicitor Bob Yurchak explained that council only has to give residents an opportunity to speak before motions are adopted at one meeting a month.

“I don’t think in workshops you actually adopt any motions,” he said when questioned about the move.

Resident Rose Mary Cannon disagreed with him, saying that public participation was allowed at all public meetings.

Yurchak didn’t disagree on the public attending the meeting.

“You can come, sit and listen,” he told her, adding that participating by having the public speak at these workshop meetings was a different issue. “I respect what you’re saying, but I don’t agree.”

A media law attorney for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Melissa Melewsky, however, said the state’s Sunshine Act does allow public participation in all meetings.

“It doesn’t matter what they call the meeting, what matters is: 1) is there a quorum of an agency or its committee, and 2) are they deliberating agency business or taking official action?” she said in an email Friday.

“If the answer to both questions is yes, the Sunshine Act applies, in full, including the requirement to allow public comment,” Melewsky said.

“If there is a quorum of council, or a quorum of council committees at a workshop meeting, and they’re discussing agency business of voting, the Sunshine Act requires an opportunity for public comment,” she said. “Terminology used to describe a meeting is irrelevant.”

Melewsky explained that committees are agencies themselves, and if there is a quorum of the committee discussing agency business, the Sunshine Act applies, even if a quorum of the larger council isn’t present.

“If the subject the committee or workshop is discussing involves agency business, be it a new sewer line or a playground upgrade, the Sunshine Act applies and requires not only a public meeting, but public comment and all the other requirements of the act (agenda, right to record, minutes, etc.),” she said.

Yurchak, contacted Friday regarding Melewsky’s comments, said that he has heard the feedback and will review what he said.

“I will discuss this further with council upon further review,” he said.

Council voted to approve the motion to prohibit public participation at council workshop meetings, and Councilwoman Michele Bartek asked if they needed to clarify the motion.

Council members disagreed, saying that the solicitor said that it was OK the way it was written.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio pointed out that council is supposed to be discussing borough matters at these meetings.

Councilman Jack Soberick made the motion, Collevechio seconded it. There were no objections.