AgdaPkt 2011-09-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.1. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager September 19, 2011 SUBJECT Consideration of Establishment of City Council Rules of Procedure and Order RECOMMENDATION Consideration of Esblishment of City Council Rules of Procedure and Order. BACKGROUND The City Council members play a vital and constructive role in facilitating public discussion during its City Council meetings and have established efficient practices for the conduct of its business. These practices could be established in writing in order to clarify the rules that govern the conduct of meetings, to increase efficiencies, and to enhance public participation and establish the rights and obligations of persons who wish to speak during City Council meetings. Staff recommends that the City Council consider establishing an ad hoc committee to work with the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to draft guidelines for Redwood City. Attached for reference are the table of content pages for the rules for the cities of Palo Alto and Berkeley. Some of the important areas for consideration include: Public Comment areas for discussion and consideration • Time limits on public comment for each speaker to three minutes; • Filling out speaker cards; • Maximum time limit devoted to public comment for non - agenda items and for action items like public hearings -- the Council may wish to establish a certain time frame for public comment and reduce individual speaker time when there are more speakers than could be accommodated within the established time frame; • Rules on ceding time; • Rules of decorum to enhance the exercise of free speech by all participants; and Use of City equipment • Speakers have typically utilized city equipment to broadcast pictures and presentations but this could put the City at risk if the speaker has not obtained requisite permissions; • A draft waiver is attached for consideration as part of the proposed City Council Rules of Procedure to be drafted.