Public Testimony Guidelines

The Mayor and City Council welcome your attendance and value your participation in the City Council meeting. There are two segments of the agenda that are dedicated to providing individuals an opportunity to speak to the Council on subjects not listed on the formal agenda. Citizens’ Forum comments are heard after the adjournment of the City Council meeting, and Organizational Service Announcements are heard prior to convening the meeting.

Citizens' Forum Guidelines:

The Council will hear these comments after adjournment; citizen forum is not televised.

Speaking time: Three (3) minutes

Purpose: To inform the Council about city issues and/or concerns not listed on the Council agenda.

PROCEDURE

1. Those requesting to speak must complete a request card available at the sign-in area located in the main lobby between 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2. When your name is called, please approach the podium, give your name and address, and direct your comments to the Council.

3. It is expected that all speakers will be courteous. Those who are out of order will be asked to step down from the podium.

4. Preference will be given, when possible, to those who have not recently addressed the Council.

LEGAL RESTRICTIONS

The Council will not respond in accordance with the Texas Open Meeting Law, Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code.

Organizational Service Announcements

Time Presented: 7 to 7:10 pm

Speaking time: Two (2) minutes

Purpose: To allow the announcement of programs, activities or services of non-profit organizations and other local groups regarded as serving community interests.

PROCEDURE

1. Those requesting to speak must complete a request card available at the sign-in area located in the main lobby between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

2. When your name is called, please approach the podium, give your name and address, and direct your comments to the Council.

3. It is expected that all speakers will be courteous. Those who are out of order will be asked to step down from the podium.

4. Preference will be given, when possible, to those who have not recently addressed the Council.

LEGAL RESTRICTIONS

The Council will not respond in accordance with the Texas Open Meeting Law, Chapter 551 of the Texas Local Government Code.

Public Hearing Guidelines:

1. Speakers will be allowed five (5) minutes to make their presentations.

2. Speakers in support or opposition will be allowed five (5) minutes each; however, it there are more than five speakers registered to speak then the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem may reduce the time to three minutes.

3. Special interest, organized groups are encouraged to select one spokesperson for the group. In the event a designated spokesperson representing ten people or more who wish to express support or opposition on an item, but do not want to speak, then that spokesperson may speak for ten minutes.

4. Public hearing items will not be confined to a specific time limit, only the speaker's time will be limited. This will conserve time and give everyone who registers to speak the opportunity to express themselves.

5. For certain items, the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem may announce at the beginning of the public hearing that additional time is being permitted due to the complexity or size of the item.

6. The City Council suggests that written testimony accompany oral comments if those speaking are unable to complete their presentation within the allotted time.

Zoning Cases Guidelines:

1. The applicant or applicant's representative will be allowed ten (10) minutes for presentation and five (5) minutes for rebuttal.

2. Speakers in support or opposition will be allowed five (5) minutes each; however, if there are more than five speakers registered to speak, then the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem may reduce the time to three minutes.

3. Special interest, organized groups are encouraged to select one spokesperson for the group. In the event a designated spokesperson representing ten (10) people or more who wish to express support or opposition on an item, but do not want to speak, then that spokesperson may speak for ten minutes.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a busnesslike atmosphere and, in turn, assure you that these meetings will not become a forum for political posturing or personal attacks on individual.

Residents who have questions about these procedures can ask for assistance at the Information Desk in the lobby.

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Español – Testimonio Público

Directivas PARA EL FORO DE CIUDADANOS

Hora de Presentarse: Hasta 30 minutos inmediatamente terminada la agenda regular y después de suspendida.

Tiempo para hablar : Tres (3) minutos

Finalidad: Informar al Concejo acerca de asuntos de la ciudad y/o preocupaciones que no se encuentran en la agenda del Concejo.

PROCEDIMIENTO

1. Aquellos que soliciten hablar, deben completar una tarjeta de pedido que se encuentra disponible en el área de registración ubicada en el pasillo entre las 6:30 p.m. y las 7:30 p.m.

2. Cuando su nombre sea anunciado, por favor acérquese al podio, dé su nombre y dirección, y dirija sus comentarios al Concejo.

3. Se espera que todos aquellos que hablen sean corteses. A aquellos que causen desorden se les pedirá que se retiren del podio.

4. En la medida que sea posible, se dará preferencia a aquellos que no se hayan dirigido recientemente al Concejo.

RESTRICCIONES LEGALES

El Concejo no responderá de acuerdo a la Ley de Tejas de Reuniones Abiertas ("Texas Open Meeting Law), Capítulo 551 del Código de Tejas del Gobierno Local ("Texas Local Government Code").

Anuncios de Servicios de Organización

Hora de Presentarse: De 7 p.m. a 7:10 p.m.

Tiempo para hablar : Dos (2) minutos

Finalidad: Permitir que los programas sean anunciados, actividades o servicios de organizaciones sin fines de lucro, y otros grupos locales acerca de servicios de interés de la comunidad.