The board procedure for the conduct of public hearings is generally
as follows:
(1) Board
chair reads listed topic information for public hearing.
(2) Board
chair opens the public hearing.
(3) Staff
presents its report.
(4) Board
members may ask questions of staff.
(5) The applicant
or appellant then has the opportunity to present comments, testimony,
or arguments. In the case of an appeal when the appellant is different
from the applicant, the appellant should be called upon first to provide
comments or testimony. The applicant or appellant shall have a total
of fifteen (15) minutes for a presentation when recognized by the
board chair. The initial comments or presentation shall be limited
to ten (10) minutes and the rebuttal or concluding comments shall
be limited to five (5) minutes.
(6) Board
members may ask questions of the applicant and/or appellant.
(7) Members
of the public are provided with the opportunity to speak for or against
the issue.
(8) The public
hearing is closed.
(9) The board
deliberates and takes action.
(Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 12/12/19)
Any public hearing being held, noticed or ordered to be held
by the board may, by order, notice or motion, be continued to any
subsequent meeting.
(Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 12/12/19)
(a) Questions
of Speakers.
Members of the board who wish to ask questions
of the speakers or each other during the public hearing portion may
do so, but only after first being recognized by the board chair. Interaction
with the speaker shall be limited to a question or questions, rather
than an ongoing dialogue.
(b) Materials
for Public Record.
All persons interested in the matter
being heard by the board shall be entitled to submit written evidence
or remarks, as well as other graphic evidence. All such evidence presented
will be retained by the city secretary’s office as part of the
record of the hearing, with the requirements of state law.
(c) Germane
Comments.
During the public hearing, no person will be
permitted to speak about matters or present evidence which is not
germane to the matter being considered. A determination of relevance
shall be made by the board chair, but may be appealed to the full
board.
(Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 12/12/19)
Written communications and petitions concerning the subject
matter of the hearing will be noted, read aloud, or summarized by
the board chair. A reading in full shall take place if requested by
any member of the board.
(Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 12/12/19)