20040706 r-04-47RESOLUTION NO. R-0/4-4 7
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS, the Fairfax City Council is desirous of encouraging all citizens to present
their views on issues of concern; and
WHEREAS, the agenda for City Council regular meetings includes an opportunity for
comment on items not scheduled for public heating as well as oppommities to speak on items
subject to public heating; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is desirous of conducting effective and efficient meetings
while ensuring that everyone who wishes to speak may do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Fairfax
hereby adopts the following guidelines for citizen participation in City Council meetings:
1. Speakers are permitted a total of 10 minutes during any meeting and no more than five
minutes for any one agenda item.
Signs, placards, posters or like materials are not permitted in the City Council Chambers,
adjoining areas or City offices except in designated areas in conjunction with an
application under consideration by City Council.
3. All materials in conjunction with presentations to the City Council shall be displayed at
the front area of Council Chambers near the podium.
4. The use of profane, vulgar, obscene, or threatening speech is not permitted and can result
in removal from the meeting.
5. Speakers may not use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person
or which, when directed at a public official, is not related to his or her official duties.
6. Repetitive testimony from meeting to meeting may be ruled out of order by the Chair.
Citizens should be respectful of others and limited time restraints and should avoid
repetitive comments. A statement of agreement with previous speakers will be
appreciated and appropriate.
8. The Mayor, or City Council by a majority vote, reserves the right to change these
presentation rules.
Adopted this 6th day of July, 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk