Resolution 7891 - Laserfiche WebLink

5 4. Public comment can be taken at any time during the meeting as determined by the Council President or presiding officer. 5. Written comments submitted prior to Council action shall be considered in the same manner as oral comments. 6. All remarks will be addressed to the Council as a whole. 7. Public Comment must be relevant to City Council business, City services, programs, projects, or activities. i. Speakers may not engage in abusive or harassing behavior including, but not limited to, derogatory remarks, profanity, or personal attacks, or use of obscene language or gestures, assault or threatening behavior, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. 8. The Council President/presiding officer or designated City Attorney may rule any public speaker or attendee out of order if comments are inappropriate, are not relevant to City Council business or not directed at Council as a whole. Out of Order conduct may include, but is not limited to: i. Outbursts or disruptions by any attendees’ who have not been recognized by the Council President / presiding officer. Meeting disruptions by non- speakers is prohibited. ii. Behavior that intentionally disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes attendance or participation at the meeting or the view of other attendees. iii. Failure to follow the direction of the Council President / presiding officer or Security Personnel. 9. If an individual is in violation of the public comment rules as referenced in the Council Procedures Resolution at three or more consecutive city council meetings, of which they are present, the Council President / presiding officer may exclude the individual from participation in public comment at future meetings. The Council President determines the length of the exclusion based on the seriousness of the disruption or the number of disruptions, not to exceed 180 days. This decision to exclude an individual from public comment may be overruled by a majority vote of the city council at a city council meeting. 10. No Use of Public Comment for Campaigns. Per RCW 42.17A.555, No person may use public comment for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition. "Campaign" shall include, but not be limited to, the direct promotion or opposition of a candidate or ballot measure or the display of any campaign material or such other prohibition promulgated by the Public Disclosure Commission. Any violation of this provision after receiving a warning from the presiding officer shall constitute grounds for immediate suspension of such person's right to speak at that Council meeting. 11. No Use of Public Comment for Advertising. No person addressing the Council may use Public Comment for the purpose of advertising. Advertising is defined as "promoting by making known, proclaiming publicly, drawing attention to, or making conspicuous any item, product, service, or thing, for profit or otherwise." This does not prevent or preclude any person addressing the Council from expressing his or her views or opinions on matters over which the Council has jurisdiction.