(A) The public is invited to attend and observe all public meetings of the Council and its committees. No person other than a member of Council or its committees may be heard at any public meeting except as provided herein.
(B) In order to address Council at a regularly scheduled public meeting, a member of the public must first make a request by notifying the Village Manager or Clerk, either orally or in writing, no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting of the person’s request to address Council. For special Council meetings or committee meetings, a member of the public must notify village staff of a request to address Council before the commencement of the meeting. Requests to address Council or its committees must include the person’s name, address, and a general statement of the subject matter on which the person desires to speak.
(C) At any public meeting for which a member of the public has properly requested to address Council or its committees, such person may address the Council as to the purpose set forth in the request to speak. After acknowledgment from the Mayor or Chairperson, each person to address Council or its committees must state his or her name and residence or business address. Members of the public are limited to a three minute time limit to address Council or its committees. The time limit does not apply (1) to persons invited by the Council or its committees to address the respective governing body, or (2) to the extent said person is responding to a question posed by a Council or committee member. The Mayor may restrict or limit the time allotted to a person whose remarks are repetitive or not germane to the matter under consideration by Council. At meetings with unusually large attendance, the Mayor or Chairperson may impose such additional rules or time limitations as are deemed appropriate from time to time based on business before the Council or its committees and the number of persons wishing to speak.
(D) If a person makes a proper request to address Council or its committees on a particular matter being considered by the Council or committee at that meeting, said person shall be allowed to speak before Council or its committees take a final vote or other dispositive action on the matter.
(E) Members of the public are not permitted to ask questions of, or debate with, Council or its committees unless permitted to do so by the Mayor or Chairperson. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council or its committees as a body and not to any member thereof.
(F) No member of the public, or any other person in attendance at a meeting of Council or its committees, shall engage in any personally offensive or abusive remarks or conduct. No person shall behave in any manner that is unruly, disruptive, or may endanger the health, safety, or welfare of said person or other members of the public, or otherwise act in a manner not in compliance with these rules. Any person violating the rules herein is subject to removal from the meeting.
(G) No unauthorized recording devices, cell phones, computers, or other devices which cause a distraction or annoyance at a public meeting are permitted.
(Ord. 2011-07, passed 5-9-11; Am. Ord. 2013-18, passed 10-15-13)