The city council hereby finds that rules as defined below are in the best interests of the city’s residents and taxpayers.
(1) 
Unless addressing the city council or entering or leaving the council chambers or other meeting place, all persons in the audience shall remain seated in the seats provided. No person shall stand or sit in the aisles or along the walls, unless permitted by the mayor. No person shall block any doorways.
(2) 
All demonstrations, including cheering, yelling, whistling, handclapping and foot-stomping, which disrupt, disturb or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the council meeting are prohibited.
(3) 
No placards, signs, posters, packages, bundles, suitcases or other large objects shall be brought into the council chambers or other meeting place except with the prior authorization of the mayor.
(4) 
Smoking is prohibited in the council chambers or other meeting place.
(5) 
Members of the public may address the city council at the following times during a meeting:
(A) 
During the citizen comment period, if such a period is on the agenda for the meeting;
(B) 
During a public hearing on an agenda item; or
(C) 
At other times with the permission of the presiding officer.
(6) 
All persons wishing to speak to the council shall state their name, address, and the subject matter upon which they wish to speak for the record. All speakers who wish to address members of the city council or staff must do so through the mayor. No person shall address the council until he or she has first been recognized by the mayor. The decision of the mayor to recognize or not recognize a person may be changed by order of the council. In the interest of facilitating the business of the council, all persons addressing the council shall be limited to three (3) minutes.
(7) 
During formal public hearings, all interested parties will be allowed to address the council. The mayor shall request persons wishing to address the council to signify their interest and may limit the time allowed and otherwise coordinate the hearing proceedings. The applicant shall speak after the staff report and shall have the opportunity for rebuttal. The applicant shall not be limited by the three (3) minute time limit but shall not be repetitious nor digress from the issues before the council.
(8) 
At the end of the regular city council meeting, administration and/or council member(s) may request that an item be placed upon a future agenda for consideration by the council.
(9) 
Members of the audience shall respect the rights of others and shall not create noise or other disturbances so as to disrupt or disturb persons who are addressing the city council, council members who are speaking, or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the meeting. All persons addressing the city council shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and shall not yell, scream, or use foul language. Speakers shall address the agenda topic to which they are speaking on and shall not be repetitive.
(10) 
Photographs, audiotapes and videotapes may be taken from a place within the council chambers or other meeting place, with said place being designated by city council. Except when presentations are being made, photographs, audiotapes and videotapes may not be taken from any place other than the designated area, as such practices disrupt and disturb the audience, public speakers and council members and interfere with the orderly conduct of the meeting. Photographs, audiotapes and videotapes shall not be taken in any manner which disturbs or disrupts the audience, speakers or council members or otherwise disrupts the council meeting. The mayor is the final decision maker as to whether any photography, audiotaping or videotaping is being undertaken in any manner which disturbs or disrupts the audience, speakers or council members or otherwise disrupts the council meeting.
(Ordinance O-07012019-1 adopted 7/1/19)