(A) Unauthorized remarks from the audience or members thereof, stamping of feet, unruly applause, whistles, yell, and raucous demonstrations shall not be permitted by the presiding officer. If such conduct continues after directions by the presiding officer to cease, the presiding officer may order such offenders to leave the meeting room. If a person fails to leave as ordered the person shall be removed from the meeting room by the sergeant-at-arms upon direction by the presiding officer.
(B) Any person willfully disrupting the proceedings of the Council, and who continues to do so after being directed by the presiding officer to cease or being ruled out of order by the presiding officer, or who otherwise refuses to carry out directions or instructions given by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the Council meeting, may be ordered by the presiding officer to leave the meeting room. If the person fails to leave as ordered, the person shall be removed from the meeting room by the sergeant-at-arms upon direction by the presiding officer.
(C) It is an infraction punishable pursuant to § 30.99 of this code for any person who once has been ordered removed from the meeting room, thereafter to disrupt the same or any subsequent meeting in the manner described in division (A) or (B) above.
(D) The presiding officer shall not find a person in violation of division (A) or (B) solely because the statements made by the person criticize the policies, procedures, programs or services of the city, or the acts or omissions of the City Council.
(E) The chief of police or such member of the police department as the chief may designate shall be sergeant-at-arms of the City Council and shall attend meetings at the request of the presiding officer, City Manager, or City Council. The sergeant-at-arms shall be available to respond to all meetings immediately upon call. The sergeant-at-arms shall carry out all instructions given by the presiding officer or City Council for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the Council meetings. The performance of the duties of the sergeant-at-arms pursuant to this section shall be official duties of the purposes of Penal Code Section 148.
(F) In addition to the provisions of this section, the presiding officer, with consent of the City Council, may invoke the remedies and procedures established by Government Code Section 54957.9.
(Ord. 1205, passed 11-6-96)