(A) Any qualified person may address the Council with written communication without securing prior permission, or any person desiring to make oral communication to the Council shall follow the procedure set forth below. Communications will be presented under the following headings of business:
(1) Written communications. Interested parties or their authorized representatives may address the Council by written communications as follows:
(a) Provide 11 copies to the City Clerk prior to the start of the Council meeting and Clerk will distribute to the members at the Council table;
(b) Provide a single copy to the Clerk or to the Mayor prior to start of meeting; or
(c) Mail written communication to “Mayor and City Council, Bethany City Hall, P.O. Box 219, Bethany, OK 73008,” and copies will be provided to Mayor and each Council member.
(2) Oral communication. Interest persons or their authorized legal representatives may address the Council by oral communications upon being authorized by the Mayor. Preference shall be given those persons who have notified the City Clerk in advance of their desire to speak in order that same may appear on the agenda of the City Council. Absent an emergency situation, no action will be taken by the City Council on a matter deemed not listed on the agenda. Interested persons shall make request of the City Council, Mayor or City Manager to have an agenda item placed on the City Council agenda. Nothing in this section shall accord any right to any person other than appropriate city officials to place items on an agenda of the City Council.
(Prior Code, § 2-612)
(B) (1) Upon recognition by the Mayor, a person addressing the Council shall give his or her name, address and city of residence in an audible tone of voice for the records and, unless further time is granted by the Council, shall limit his or her address to five minutes. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any member thereof.
(2) 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 Mayor. No questions shall be asked of a Council member or staff, except through the Mayor.
(Prior Code, § 2-614) (Ord. 1632, passed 3-7-00)