Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-036 adopting Rules of Procedure and Decorum for public comments during City Council meetings; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
City Council
BACKGROUND:
City Council meetings are a limited forum focused on conducting city business, including public observation and respectful discourse on matters important to our community. The City Council desires to adopt rules of decorum for public comments during its meetings to ensure the City Council can conduct City business respectfully and efficiently in compliance with state and federal law.
DISCUSSION:
Recently, certain individuals have used the public comment portion of City Council meetings to engage in disruptive and unacceptable behavior, including discriminatory and personally offensive remarks about individuals and groups based on their personal characteristics.
City Council meetings are not an open forum for disruptive behavior by members of the public, including behavior intended to discriminate against, defame, intimidate, or personally attack any person or group of people. To ensure proper decorum at City Council meetings, the City Council has directed the City Attorney to prepare rules of procedure and decorum that are in compliance with state and federal law. This agenda item presents these proposed rules for consideration, and if adopted, they will apply to all future meetings of the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Financial Impact
DISTRICT:
NA
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-036 as presented.
2. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-036 with modifications.
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution No. 2025-036
2. Exhibit - A: Rules of Decorum and Conduct for Public Hearings and Citizens Comment