(A) Public comment.
(1) Regarding committee meetings, any member of the general public (“speaker”) may orally or in writing address items that are on the agenda of any open meeting of a standing committee of the City Council (“Council”) or any subcommittees thereof, subject to the rules provided in this section.
(2) Regarding Council meetings, speakers may orally or in writing address any item, including those not on the meeting agenda, at any open meeting of the Council, subject to the rules provided in this section.
(B) Public comment rules. Oral public comment at meetings shall be subject to the rules set forth below.
(1) Speakers must be physically present at the meeting. An individual who is unable to be physically present at the meeting may give written comments to another individual to be read by that individual at the meeting. Written comments must adhere to all other rules for public comment in this section. An individual reading written comments may read such comments from only one other individual at a given meeting.
(2) During the period for public comment at Council meetings, speakers must come forward to the podium at Council meetings if they are physically able to do so. During the period for public comment at committee or subcommittee meetings, the location from which speakers must address the committee or subcommittee, if physically able to do so, shall be determined by the presiding officer.
(3) Speakers must give their full names prior to speaking during public comment. Speakers shall not be required to provide their home addresses during public comment.
(4) After being recognized by the Mayor or presiding officer, speakers must address the Council, committee or subcommittee directly and not members of the public.
(5) Each speaker is allotted a maximum of four minutes to speak. The four-minute time period shall be monitored by the City Clerk. Speakers who are reading written comments submitted by other individuals must adhere to this time frame.
(6) Speakers shall refrain from using obscene, profane, abusive or inciting language or gestures.
(C) Posting of public comment rules. Public comment rules will be posted on the city’s website, at the East Annex and with the sign-in sheet at each public meeting.
(Ord. 2019-029, passed 7-16-2019; Ord. 2019-043, passed 8-27-2019)