§ 2-66. Citizens presentations.

(a)

Presentation by public on proposition before the commission. The agenda shall provide times when the public is given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a proposition before the commission. The opportunity to be heard may not occur at the same meeting in which the commission takes official action on the proposition, provided the opportunity has been extended within 60 days before the meeting at which the commission takes the official action. Public opportunity hereunder does not extend to:

(1)

An official act that must be taken to deal with an emergency situation affecting the public health, welfare, or safety, if compliance with the requirements would cause an unreasonable delay in the ability of the commission to act;

(2)

An official act involving no more than a ministerial act, including, but not limited to, approval of minutes and ceremonial proclamations;

(3)

A meeting that is exempt from F.S. § 286.011; or

(4)

A meeting during which the commission is acting in a quasi-judicial capacity.

This paragraph does not affect the right of a person to be heard as otherwise provided by law.

(b)

Addressing the commission—Scheduled presentations. Any person desiring to address the commission by oral communication on any subject not already on the commission meeting agenda shall first secure the permission of the presiding officer and will be recognized under "scheduled presentation from the public." Only those persons who have completed a speaker's form and who have notified the city clerk by 12:00 noon of the Wednesday immediately preceding the regular meeting will have their name placed on the agenda and be recognized under the heading "scheduled presentations from the public."

(c)

Addressing the commission—Public opportunity on commission propositions. Any person desiring to address the commission by oral communication regarding agendaed commission propositions shall complete and deliver a speaker request card to the city clerk then secure the permission of the presiding officer and will be recognized under public participation on commission propositions where that item occurs on the agenda.

(d)

Addressing the commission—Comments from audience. Any person desiring to address the commission by oral communication shall complete and deliver a speaker request card to the city clerk then secure the permission of the presiding officer and will be recognized under "comments from the audience" where that item occurs on the agenda.

(e)

Addressing the commission—Public opportunity on public hearings. Any person desiring to address the commission regarding agendaed public hearings by oral communication shall secure the permission of the presiding officer and will be recognized under "public hearings" where that item occurs on the agenda.

(f)

Manner of addressing the commission—Time limit. Each person addressing the commission shall approach the microphone, shall give his or her name and address and the organization or group they represent if any, in an audible tone of voice for the record and, unless further time is granted by the commission, shall limit their address to three minutes. All remarks shall pertain to city business and shall be addressed to the commission as a body, and not to any commission member thereof. No person, other than commission members or the mayor, and the persons having the floor, shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through the members of the commission. No questions shall be asked the commission members or staff, except through the presiding officer.

(g)

Personal and slanderous remarks. Any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks, or who shall become boisterous or use offensive language, while addressing the commission, may be requested to leave the meeting. No reference by name to any individual present or absent, including commission members and staff, shall be used in a negative manner by any person addressing the commission. All participants and speakers shall refrain from belittling or insulting remarks or making personal attacks.

(h)

Reading of protests. Interested persons, or their authorized representatives, may address the commission for the reading of protests, petitions, or communications relating to any matter over which the commission has control when the item is under consideration by the commission.

(i)

Written communications. Interested parties, or their authorized representatives, may address the commission by written communication on any matter of business. However, in order to preserve the public record as well as comply with Florida's Public Records Law, an exact copy of said written communication must be provided to the city clerk.

(j)

Presentations by representatives of groups or factions. At meetings, in which four or more individuals of a group or faction wish to be heard, a representative of a group or faction may address the commission rather than all members of the group or faction and in such instances shall limit their address to 20 minutes.

(Ord. No. 1058-2013 , § 3, 10-8-13)