O-2019-3758 Adopted Rules of Procedure for City Council Meetings

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Persons wishing to address the Council on more than one agenda item or topic in a single meeting must speak on all such agenda items or topics during their presentation. Additional time is not given for additional items (however, emailing, writing, calling, or visiting with Councilpersons outside of meetings is, of course, unlimited). This requirement does not restrict anyone from also speaking at any public hearing (see additional information below). Subject to the foregoing, the City Council shall not place limits on discussion of specific subject matter as it relates to any constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech, or otherwise discriminate against a particular point of view. (B)Public Hearings - Public hearings provide municipal residents and affected parties an opportunity to be heard, typically on certain land use items or the annual adoption of the municipal budget and tax rate. There is not a form or sign up requirement for public hearings at City Council meetings. Each person addressing the Council shall step up to the podium and shall give his/her name and address for the record. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any member thereof. No person, other than the Council and the person having the floor shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the Council, without the permission of the Presiding Officer. No question shall be asked to a Councilperson except through the Presiding Officer. Any such question shall be referred by City Council to the City Manager for further handling. 6.08. Silence Constitutes Affirmative Vote. Unless a member of the Council states that he is not voting, his/her silence shall be recorded as an affirmative vote. 6.09. Decorum. (A)By Councilpersons. While the Council is in session, the members must preserve order and decorum, and a member shall neither, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the Council nor disturb any member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Council or its Presiding Officer, except as otherwise herein provided. (B)By Persons. Any person making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks or who shall become boisterous while addressing the Council shall be forthwith, by the Presiding Officer, subject to loss of speaking privileges unless permission to continue be granted by a majority vote of the Council. Reactions from the audience following the recognition and rewarding of citizens and special guests is considered appropriate and encouraged. Disruptive verbal and/or non-verbal reactions from the audience during staff presentations to the Council and during debate between Councilpersons are inappropriate and are not permitted. The presiding officer will ensure that the decorum of the meeting is maintained and is appropriate. No offensive, vulgar, or distracting placards, banners, signs, or apparel shall be permitted to be erected or displayed by persons in attendance in the City Council chamber or in any other room in which the City Council is holding a meeting. Exhibits, displays, and visual aids used in connection with presentations to the City Council are permitted. 6