There is nothing either novel nor insane about restricting comments to the agenda items being discussed.  The "public comments on non-agenda items" has been implemented to appease the "radical fringes" on both the right and left.  When there are just a "few" folks commenting during such sessions it works fine.  However, let's be honest, it primarily designed as a catharsis for the speakers.  When there are dozens of persons who wish to have their three minutes, things change.  Two hours of "off-topic" comments before the planned agenda is addressed is ridiculous.  If thee's a single topic common to to many of those presentations, by all means have a "work session" to address that topic and have those folks offer their input at that meeting.  Focusing public input on the agenda topics actually being discussed is a positive, not a negative act.  I do NOT suggest ignoring or stiffling public input....but focusing it in a positive fashion.  That's a big difference.  Gary Crum