[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Butler as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 1-6-2020 by Res. No. 20-04[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This resolution also superseded former Art. I, Public Comments, adopted 1-2-2018 by Res. No. 18-04.
Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 1993-20, as amended (Sunshine Act[1]), the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Butler shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents and taxpayers of the Township to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board. If the Board determines that there is not sufficient time at a meeting for residents or taxpayers of the Township to comment, the Board may defer the comment period to the next regular meeting or to a special meeting occurring in advance of the next regular meeting. The Board has established two public comment portions in each regular and special meeting; the first is public comment on agenda items and public comment on nonagenda items. Individuals speaking on agenda items will be heard at the beginning of the meeting. Individuals speaking on nonagenda items will be heard at the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
The Board of Commissioners finds that a reasonable opportunity for comment involves strict adherence to the following regulations:
A. 
Individuals desiring to speak will be recognized by the President of the Board of Commissioners.
B. 
Once recognized by the President of the Board, the citizen shall proceed to the microphone and give his/her name and address.
C. 
No citizen shall attempt to monopolize the time set for public comment.
D. 
No citizen shall use abusive language, or engage in scandalous or insulting remarks about any other person.
E. 
Speakers shall be limited to three minutes unless time is extended by a vote of the Commissioners.
F. 
Speakers, individually or in concert, shall not comment by singing.
G. 
Comments shall be directed to matters of concern, official action or deliberation, which are or may be before the Board.
H. 
Speakers shall relinquish the floor upon direction from the President of the Board that time has expired or that the speaker is in violation of these regulations.
I. 
No citizen shall attempt to interfere with the conduct of the balance of business on the agenda or with any other speaker.
The Board of Commissioners may revoke the privilege of any citizen to participate in the business meetings of the Board and may remove any person from the room who disrupts the proper conduct of the meeting, in violation of these regulations.