Title
Ordinance Amending Section 2-16 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances with Respect to the Public Comment Period at Regular Meetings
Body
Department: Legal
Meeting Date:
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Tom Carruthers, City Attorney, 373-2320
Contact 2 and Phone: Jennifer Schneier, Assistant City Attorney, 373-2320
PURPOSE:
To amend Sec. 2-16 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting of City Council.
BACKGROUND:
The Greensboro City Council is enabled through state law to provide at least one period per month for public comment, commonly referred to as "Speakers from the Floor." State law further enables City Council to adopt reasonable rules governing the conduct of the public comment period. For reasons of flexibility and efficiency, the Greensboro City Council desires to amend the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to align its provisions with those found in state law.
The North Carolina General Statute is as follows:
? 160A-81.1. Public comment period during regular meetings.
The council shall provide at least one period for public comment per month at a regular meeting of the council. The council may adopt reasonable rules governing the conduct of the public comment period, including, but not limited to, rules (i) fixing the maximum time allotted to each speaker, (ii) providing for the designation of spokesmen for groups of persons supporting or opposing the same positions, (iii) providing for the selection of delegates from groups of persons supporting or opposing the same positions when the number of persons wishing to attend the hearing exceeds the capacity of the hall, and (iv) providing for the maintenance of order and decorum in the conduct of the hearing. The council is not required to provide a public comment period under this section if no regular meeting is held during the month.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION / ...
Click here for full text