"Council Order of Business and Rules of Procedure
The Common Council will consider adopting Ordinance #2006-9, which would amend the Common Council’s order of business to allow citizens to appear near the beginning of each Council meeting and address the Council for up to five minutes per on any subject, regardless of whether the subject is or is not listed later on the agenda. Currently, citizens are allowed to speak at this time only about items not on the agenda. Regarding items on the agenda, currently, citizens are permitted to speak only at the discretion of the presiding officer, unless there is a public hearing. The ordinance also would clarify that city staff are allowed to address the Council when recognized by the presiding officer."
This can be a good thing, especially if we citizens take it as a time to have our ducks in a row and make sure to move a discussion forward.
ReplyDeleteHave your facts and have a point. No accusations. No name calling.
I hope that the city can make this work. Allowing five minutes per speaker can extend a meeting very quickly if there is a hot button issue.
If a number of people show up, what works very well is to request of the participants that if someone has already made their point, to please acknowledge that and state your agreement to it. This cuts down on repetition, yet still allows everyone to be heard. While it isn't compulsory, most people comply because no-one really wants to attend a meeting all night.
ReplyDeleteThis public speaking section of the agenda is critical for an open government. It is implemented in many municipalities throughout Wisconsin. We have one too, but it's a bit backward as it only allows for comment on items NOT on the agenda.
5 minutes is a good and fair time frame, because it allows for back and forth discussion between the speaker and the Council. If my understanding of Robert's Rules is correct, at the end of the time, the Chair can call the dialog over. 3 minutes provides time to make a point, and 5 minutes provides time to explore it if necessary.
See the issue with how that is written brkmn is the wording 'with permission.' It is one thing to limit how long someone can talk and when they can talk but no one should need ' permission' to talk at a public meeting. I personally have been to several city council and planning commission meetings where we were not allowed to talk or ask further questions once the public meeting was closed. Very frustrating, alot of times the council or commission will talk about things or bring up issues that we did not know or understand during the public meeting, and are told no more comments or questions. It is like huh? What are you afraid of ?
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