04/22/2010 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Be fair and equitable in allocating public hearing time to individual speakers. "The first thing the Mayor said to me was to be brief because the meeting was the Council was eager to go home. That shouldn't be my problem. I'm sorry my end of the agenda and that there were a lot of speakers, but it is critically impoi should be allowed to say what I have to say and believe that the Council is listeni The chair will determine and announce limits on speakers at the start of th process. Questions should not be asked for the express purpose of allowing evade the time limit imposed on all others (e.g., "Was there something else you i Generally, each speaker will be allocated three minutes with applicants and al designated representatives allowed ten. If many speakers are anticipated, the c the time limit and/or ask speakers to limit themselves to new information and p already covered by previous speakers. unning te and item w at the ant to e and I gtome" public earing one sp aker to anted t say?"). pellants or their air may horten ~ints of iew not No speaker will be turned away unless he or she exhibits inappropriate behavi r. Each peaker may only speak once during the public hearing unless the chair requests additi nal cla fication later in the process. After the close of the public hearing, no more public t stimony will be accepted unless the chair reopens the public hearing for a limited and specific pu pose. Give the appearance of active listening It is disconcerting to speakers to have members not look at them when they a speak g. It is fine to look down at documents or to make notes, but reading for a long period i time o gazing around the room gives the appearance of disinterest. Be aware of facial expres ions, e ecially those that could be interpreted as "smirking," disbelief, anger or boredom. Maintain an open mind Members of the public deserve an opportunity to influence the thinking of electe and a pointed officials. To express an opinion or pass judgment prior to the close of a public he ring cas s doubt on a member's ability to conduct a fair review of the issue. This is particularly importa t when officials are serving in a quasi-judicial capacity. Ask for clarification, but avoid debate and argument with the public Only the chair - not individual members - can interrupt a speaker during a pres ntation. However, a member can ask the chair for a point of order if the speaker is off the opic or exhibiting behavior or language the member finds disturbing. If speakers become flustered or defensive by questions, it is the responsibility of he chai to calm and focus the speaker and to maintain the order and decorum of the meetin . Ques ons by members to the public testifying should seek to clarify or expand informa ion. It i never appropriate to belligerently challenge or belittle the speaker. Members' pers nal opi ions or inclinations about upcoming votes should not be revealed until after the public he ring is osed. No personal attacks of any kind, under any circumstance Members should be aware that their body language and tone of voice, as well a the wo ds they use, can appear to be intimidating or aggressive. Follow parliamentary procedure in conducting public meetings The city attorney serves as advisory parliamentarian for the City and is ava lable to answer questions or interpret situations according to parliamentary procedures. The ch ir, subje t to the appeal of the full Council or board/commission makes final rulings on parliament ry proce ure. 3(b). In Unofficial Settings Make no promises on behalf of the Council, board/commission or City Members will frequently be asked to explain a Council or board/commission actic opinion about an issue as they meet and talk with constituents in the community n or to ve their It is ap opriate