PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD POLICY
(APPLIES TO ISSUES NOT ON THE AGENDA)
It is the philosophy of the City of Burlington that providing citizens with adequate information and managed and fair opportunities to have their ideas, opinions and concerns addressed fosters and maintains trust in the government process; encourages public participation in the government process, and allows for the development and implementation of programs and services which are responsive to our citizens’ needs.
Generally, information should be conveyed to and issues addressed by the City Manager and staff members. There are occasions, however, when a citizen may wish to address the City Council directly regarding an issue. The following policy is hereby established for this public address to the Council.
1. A period reserved for comments from the public on topics not otherwise included on that agenda would be included as an item of business on the agenda of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on the third Tuesday of each month.
2. The Public Comment segment of the agenda will be placed at the end of the agenda, following the conclusion of all other Open Session business.
3. The Public Comment period shall not exceed a total of 30 minutes, unless the Council entertains a successful majority vote to extend this period.
4. In deference to all who wish to speak, each individual will be asked to limit his or her comments to no more than five minutes, unless the Council entertains a successful majority vote to extend this limit. Any extension of time granted must be granted equally to all who wish to speak.
5. An individual wishing to address the Council during the Public Comment Period regarding issues not specifically on the agenda shall register prior to the opening of the meeting by signing his or her name, address and a short description of his or her topic on a sign-up sheet stationed in the lobby of the City Council Chamber. The sign-up sheet will be given to the Mayor prior to the Call to Order.
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6. Items of discussion during the Public Comment 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, and information protected by the client-attorney privilege. Closed Meeting subjects will not be entertained.
7. Because subjects of Special and Emergency Meetings are often regulated by General Statutes, there will be no Public Comments segment reserved on agendas of these meetings; however, Special and Emergency Meetings are open for public attendance.
8. Action on items brought up during the Public Comment
section of the agenda will be at the discretion of the
Council. If the Council deems that the comment requires action, rarely will action be taken at the meeting when it is presented. It will likely be referred to staff for review and recommendation
9. Individuals addressing the Council should do so from the
podium, stating their name and address, speaking into the
microphone.