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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-255 CCR Member Gene Lhotka introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 77-255 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING AN OPEN FORUM AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the matter of instituting an Open Forum to give citizens an opportunity to address the City Council as a whole; and WHEREAS, a subcommittee comprised of Councilman Kuefler and Councilman Lhotka held two special meetings at which public hearings were held to receive comments both for and against an Open Forum that resulted in a recommendation to institute such a procedure; and WHEREAS, the City Council, following extensive deliberation and additional public input, desires to establish an Open Forum at City Council meetings and to set various guidelines and procedures for its utilization to give citizens the opportunity to address the City Council and also permit the Council to conduct the regularly scheduled business portion of the Council meeting in an effective manner. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center to establish an Open Forum at City Council meetings using the following guidelines and procedures: 1. Purpose The Open Forum is instituted to give any citizen the opportunity to address the City Council as a whole and comment on any opinion, problem, concern, or complaint they might have which is relevant to the affairs of this local government and its policies and practices. The Open Forum is not designed to supplant other means of communica- tion such as direct contact with members of the City Council, the City Manager, City department heads or City staff. Use of these other means of communication is encouraged by the City of Brooklyn Center. It is not the intent of the City Council that the Open Forum be used either to air personality type grievances, to make personal attacks or for political endorsements or campaign purposes. The City Council will hear each person wishing to address the City Council but will not be expected to take any immediate action regarding items or issues raised. 2. Time and Schedulinq a. An Open Forum will be held on the same evening as every regularly scheduled City Council meeting. It will be held in the City Council Chambers and will start at approximately 7 :05 p.m. Persons wishing to address the City Council will generally be given a maximum of five minutes to express their opinion, problem, concern, or complaint. RESOLUTION NO. 77 -255 b. Persons wishing to address the City Council during the Open Forum are asked to either call City Hall prior to the Open Forum and state their name, address, telephone number, and the nature of the subject which they wish to bring to the City Council's attention, or to sign a prepared card with the same information indicated above which will be available at the door of the City Council Chambers prior to the time for the Open Forum. 3. Procedures a. The Mayor will chair the Open Forum and recognize those that have submitted requests to address the City Council with persons calling in advance being scheduled prior to those signing up at the door. A record will be kept of the comments made during the Open Forum which will become part of the official minutes of that City Council meeting. b. There is a need for some flexibility with regard to the maximum amount of time allotted to an individual addressing the City Council. This will be a function of the number of people wishing to make comments and the approximate 25 minute time limit pro- posed for the Open Forum. The Mayor will have the discretion to determine the individual time limit based on these considerations. c. If it is apparent that a number of persons wish to address the City Council about the same subject, the Mayor can, in the interest of giving all persons an opportunity to address the Council about a variety of subjects, limit the amount of time allocated to those individuals or request that one person be designated to speak on behalf of the group. If it is apparent that there are no time problems, the City Council will hear all persons wishing to speak about the same subject matter. d. City Council members will be present to hear those wishing to address the Council and will not get involved in a dialogue with citizens. A matter can be referred to the City Manager, if appro- priate, for further action. Questions by members of the City Council to citizens utilizing the Open Forum will be limited to clarification type questions regarding the comment, concern, problem, or complaint. The Open Forum will not be utilized as a time for problem solving or reacting to matters stated by citizens, but rather for hearing the citizen for informational purposes only. e. The Open Forum will not be used to vent personal animosities regarding particular individuals such as members of the City Council, the City Manager, the City staff, neighbors or other citizens. If it becomes apparent that comments are of this nature, the Mayor shall have the authority to terminate such comments and go on to the next scheduled person. This is not to imply that it is the intention of this City Council to discourage persons from commenting on problems relating to City functions but rather to avoid personality conflicts. RESOLUTION NO. 77 -255 f. The Open Forum will not be used for political endorsements or for campaign purposes. Again, the Mayor shall have the authority to terminate such comments and proceed to the next scheduled person. This is not to imply that persons seeking political office are barred from expressing their opinions or comments regarding local government issues but rather to avoid using this forum for campaign rhetoric. g. When recognized a person addressing the City Council will state their full name and address for purposes of the public record. h. Persons wishing to address the City Council during the Open Forum regarding an item scheduled for a public hearing on the same City Council agenda, such as a Planning Commission item, an ordinance or other type of public hearing, will be requested to make their comments during the appropriate public hearing rather than at the Open Forum. i. The City Council meeting will be called to order at 7:00 p.m. The roll call, invocation, and approval of minutes will be considered prior to beginning the Open Forum. If no one wishes to address the City Council at the Open Forum, the Council will continue with the scheduled agenda. December 19, 1977 XI —I-- Date Mayor G' ATTEST: Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Tony Kuefler and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Philip Cohen, Tony Kuefler, Bill Fignar, and Gene Lhotka; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.