(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has voted to restore a public comment period during its meetings following a close vote Monday evening.

By a 3–2 margin, commissioners approved reinstating public comment at the beginning of meetings. Under the new rule, residents will also no longer be required to sign up in advance to speak.

Commissioners Brian Shefferd, Tom Martin, and Dave Middendorf voted in favor of the change. Mayor Becky Shamburg and Commissioner Laura Tollefson voted against it.

During the meeting, Hiawatha resident Angela Entriken encouraged commissioners to bring back a formal public comment period. She said the change would improve communication between residents and city leaders, increase transparency, and give the public a more meaningful voice in local government.

Under the previous policy, residents were only allowed to speak on agenda items unless they had signed up by the Wednesday before meetings.