Guest Cindy L. Mills Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:06 PM Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:06 PM A citizen was giving a 5-minute speak and was interrupted by an attendee. Several questions/comments were then made between the citizen who had the floor, the same attendee & a city council member. Isn't it inappropriate for an attendee to participate in a public city council meeting in any way? The same council member who engaged the speaking citizen & attendee has done so many times, often carrying on a conversation with other attendees during the council meeting. What should have and can be done, or is it appropriate for attendees to participate when they have not been called on to do so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:19 PM Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:19 PM The Chair/presiding officer should enforce the rules (whatever those rules may be per the assembly adopting them or the bylaws imposing them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:19 PM Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:19 PM If this is a meeting of a public body, such as a city council, school board, etc, the pertinent rules regarding persons addressing the council will most likely be found in the council's own rules, any governing municipal charter and/or city ordinances, and state law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:46 PM Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 at 05:46 PM Isn't it inappropriate for an attendee to participate in a public city council meeting in any way? Apparently the council had no problem with it. A citizen was giving a 5-minute speak and was interrupted by an attendee. What's the difference between "a citizen" and "an attendee"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 6, 2015 at 09:39 PM Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 at 09:39 PM What's the difference between "a citizen" and "an attendee"?I was wondering, too. Maybe by "attendee" she meant someone in the audience? I await her response, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted March 9, 2015 at 06:31 PM Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 at 06:31 PM Apparently the council had no problem with it. I would have expected the chair to prevent the "attendee" from interrupting the "citizen" without waiting for a council member to object. The chair might even stop a council member from interrupting or engaging in a conversation with the citizen, but I wouldn't be shocked if the chair allowed it. Much might depend on the custom of the council, and even more would depend on the actual rules for public hearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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