R-18-30RESOLUTION NO. R-18-30
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CITY COUNCIL MEETING PROCESSES
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to encourage all citizens to present their views on issues
concern; and
WHEREAS, the agenda for City Council regular meetings includes an opportunity for
mment on items not scheduled for public hearing as well as opportunities to speak on items subject
public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act requires that affairs of government be
,nsacted in public; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to conduct effective and efficient meetings while
suring that everyone who wishes to speak may do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby adopts the
following guidelines for citizen participation at City Council meetings:
1. Speakers are permitted a total of 10 minutes during any meeting, but no more than three
minutes for any one agenda item.
2. 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.
b. Repetitive testimony from meeting to meeting may be ruled out of order by the Chair.
7. 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. Citizens are encouraged to submit written comments on agenda items through the city council
meeting portal on the city website.
9. The Mayor, or City Council by a majority vote, reserves the right to change these presentation
rules.
Adopted: September 11, 2018
Mayor
Attest:
JVJ
City Clerk
The vote on the motion to approve was recorded as follows:
VOTE:
Councilmember DeMarco
Aye
Councilmember Lim
Aye
Councilmember Miller
Aye
Councilmember Passey
Aye
Councilmember Stehle
Aye
Councilmember Yi
Aye