TOWN OF BLOWING ROCK TOWN COUNCIL
(Adopted the 9th day of August, 2005)
The
following procedure will be followed for public comment on non-agenda items at
regular monthly meetings of the Blowing Rock Town Council:
It is the philosophy of the Town of
Generally, information should be conveyed to and issues addressed by the Town Manager and town staff members. This procedure allows for a comprehensive review and analysis of the issue and an informed response or action. There are occasions, however, when a citizen may wish to address the Town Council directly regarding an issue. The following policy is hereby established for this public address to the Board:
1. At the end of the regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the Board shall allow public comment during a “Speakers from the Floor” period. The maximum amount of time set aside for public comment shall be thirty (30) minutes, but the Board may reduce that time based upon various factors, such as: the length of the meeting, the time the normal business on the agenda concludes, whether there is a closed session scheduled, etc.
2. Prior to the meeting, anyone wishing to
speak shall complete an index card supplied by the Town, on which they will
provide their name, address and telephone number. They shall identify the topic they wish to
address, and indicate any Town representative with whom they have discussed the
issue. These cards are to be presented
to the Town Clerk who will give each card a number in the order in which it is
received.
3.
Items of
discussion during the “Speakers from the Floor” segment of the meeting will be
only those appropriate to Open Meetings.
Closed Meeting topics include, but are not limited to, such subjects as
personnel, acquisition of real property, contract negotiations, litigation, and
information protected by the client-attorney privilege. Closed Meeting subjects will not be
entertained. Also, speakers should refrain from matters, which concern the
candidacy of any person seeking public office, including the person addressing
the Board.
Public Comments are to be directed to the Board as a whole.
Citizens will be expected to be civil in their language and presentation and
not engage in personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks. Otherwise, the Mayor
may declare the Speaker out of order, and the Council may bar them
from speaking further before the Council during this meeting unless permission
to continue shall be granted by a majority vote of the Council, under such
restrictions as the Council may provide.
4. When the Board reaches the “Speakers from the Floor” segment of the meeting, the Mayor will recognize those wishing to speak in the numerical order shown on the cards. Individuals who are recognized will come to the podium and give their name and address. In deference to all who wish to speak, each individual will be asked to limit his or her comments to no more than three (3) minutes, and the Town Attorney will keep the time for that period. A person may only speak once during this “Speakers from the Floor” period.
5.
The Board is
interested in hearing your concerns, but speakers should not expect Board
action or deliberation on subject matter brought up during the public comment
portion of the meeting. Topics requiring further investigation and action will
be referred to the appropriate Town officials or staff and may be scheduled for
a future agenda.
Citizens are
encouraged to contact their elected representatives at any time outside the
Council meeting setting. Any citizen with questions, concerns or suggestions
has the opportunity to call, write or meet with representatives of the Board by
contacting them directly or via Town Hall.
A list of phone
numbers and mailing addresses for Town Council members is available from the
Town Clerk.