Amendments From Resolution 2831
a. Public comment during City Council meetings is not an absolute right. Rather, the City Council permits public comment only for the limited purposes of hearing from the public about matters directly related to the business of the City that is within the Council’s jurisdiction. The public comment period is a limited public forum and comments are therefore appropriately limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation which are or may come before City Council. The City Council is not creating an opportunity for and will not accept public comment on matters that fall outside the scope of the Council’s jurisdiction, such as employment issues related to employees and officers who are not appointed or supervised by Council. During public hearings, all public comment must relate to the specific matter under discussion. All public comments must be addressed to the City Council as a body.
b. Public comment must not unduly interfere with the City Council’s ability to conduct business or otherwise disrupt City Council meetings. Comments that substantially interrupt, delay, or disturb the peace and good order of the proceedings of the City Council are not permitted. Examples of such types of comments include shouting, use of profanity or vulgarity, or speaking outside of allotted time. In addition, public comment may not be used for belligerent or abusive behavior including true threats, fighting words, or incitements to imminent lawless action. Abusive and harassing comments that could lead to the creation of a hostile work environment for City employees required to attend City Council meetings likewise unduly interferes with the Council’s ability to conduct its business and are therefore prohibited. The City Council requests that all public comment is provided in a manner that is respectful to those in attendance at the meeting.
a.c. Public comment may be provided to the Council either orally or in writing. Citizen Individual and community group testimony forms will be available at each regular business meeting and must be filled out prior to providing public comment orally. Individual and community groups desiring to provide public comment virtually, must register with the City Recorder by 3:00 pm the day of the meeting and provide their name, address, email, phone, and a general topic. Written comments may be provided to the City Recorder either in advance of or during the Council meeting, although it is possible that the City Council may not be able to read written comments provided during a meeting until after the meeting has concluded. At the time on the agenda designated for public comment and during any public hearing, any member of the public desiring to address the City Council must first request wait to be recognized by the Mayor and then state their name for the record. The City Council may set time limits for comments. The Council may request that groups with similar comments choose a spokesperson to present joint remarks.
b. During public hearings, all public comment must relate to the matter under discussion and addressed to the City Council.
c.d. In general, members of the City Council will not respond to comments made during the public comment agenda time, except to ask clarifying questions. Any public requests for City Council action will be referred to staff for review before being placed on a future agenda.
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