A. The following rules are hereby established, shall be observed in the conduct of any public hearing before the City Council and shall be known as the OFFICIAL COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE:
1. No person shall be permitted to testify or speak before the City Council at a public hearing, unless such person has signed his name and written his residential address thereafter on sign up sheets to be provided by the City. This rule shall not apply to staff or technical witnesses directed by the Mayor to give evidence or information to the City Council.
2. No person shall be permitted to speak before the City Council at a public hearing until such person has been recognized by the Mayor. (Ord. 233, 1-11-1983)
3. All public hearing proceedings shall be recorded electronically or stenographically, and all persons speaking at such public hearings shall speak in such a manner as will assure that the recorded testimony or remarks will be accurate and trustworthy. (Ord. 233, 1-11-1983; amd. 2015 Code)
4. At the commencement of the public hearing, the City Council shall establish a time limit to be observed by all speakers. The time limit shall be established depending on the number of speakers who sign up for each public hearing and shall apply only to the speakers' comments.
5. The speaker shall not be interrupted by members of the City Council until his time limit has been expended or until he has finished his statement.
6. At the conclusion of a speaker's comments, each City Council person, when recognized by the Mayor, shall be allowed to question the speaker, and the speaker shall be limited to answers to the questions asked. The question and answer period shall not be included in the speaker's time limit, as established.
7. When the public hearing is quasi-judicial in nature or one after which the City Council is required by law to make findings of fact, each speaker must swear or affirm that his testimony will be true and correct.
8. Any person not conforming to any of the above rules may be prohibited from speaking during the public hearing. Should any person refuse to comply with such prohibition, he may be removed from the room by order of the Mayor.
9. The City Council may suspend or amend any one or more of these rules by vote of one-half (1/2) plus one of the full City Council.
10. The Mayor shall have the authority to interpret and apply the foregoing rules, subject to an appeal to the City Council, whose decision shall be determined by a majority vote of the Council members present. (Ord. 233, 1-11-1983)