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HomeMy WebLinkAbout89-028RESOLUTION NO. 89 ~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ADOPTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHEREAS, Public comments concerning the City of Port Townsend are encouraged and appreciated by the City Council, and, WHEREAS, The information and advice received from the citizens helps the City Council make the best possible decisions, and, WHEREAS, A few basic rules need to be established in order to insure that all individuals wishing to address the City Council can be heard, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that: The annexed POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS is here and hereby adopted to regulate public comments during all City Council meetings from this date forward. PASSED this 2nd day of May, 1989. Attest: ity Clerk Approved as to form: Cf~y -A~ t 6~n~y Mayor poLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS City Council meetings are the legislative meetings of the city. It is similar to a meeting of the Washington State Legislature during which citizens are seated in the gallery observing their elected officials execute their duties. Just as'in the gallery of the State Legislature, the audience has no right to interrupt the meeting. City Council meetings are governed by Robert's Rules of Order Which are enforced by the Mayor. In addition the City Council has established the following policies and procedures with regard to PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Public comments concerning our city are encouraged and appreciated. The information and advice received from citizens helps the City Council make the best possible decisions. 2. A few basic rules must be established in order ~o insure that all individuals wishing to address the City Council can be heard. 3. Public comments on items which are not on the agenda as public hearings are welcomed during the public comments portion of the meeting. Once the public comment or hearing period is closed by the chair, deliberations of the council may not be interrupted by the public. 4. Each person who wishes to speak must first be recognized by the chair. Each speaker is asked to printhis/her name and address on a register at the rostrum and state his/her name clearly before he/she addresses the council so that the written record may be accurate. It is necessary to use the microphone on order for the tape recording to be clear. 5. Each person is required to limit testimony to five minutes out of respect for those waiting to speak. No one other than the chair may interrupt the speaker and the chair is obligated to interrupt if the speaker exceeds the time limit or when it is necessary to uphold the rules and restore order. 6. No d&monstrations, noises, or other disruptive expressions are allowed. 7. Ail questions are to be addressed only to the chair who will direct each question for response either during the meeting or at a more appropriate time and place. 8. Complaints about the way an employee discharges his/her responsibility must be registered through the proper channels so that the rights of the individual are protected. Such complaints may be submitted in writing to the Mayor who will investigate and schedule hearings as appropriate pursuant to current labor agreements, Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.17), and the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30). Additional written testimony at any time is always welcomed. Written information directed to the City Council should be submitted for en- closure in the meeting packets no later than noon on the Friday pre- ceeding the City Council meeting.