HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0913 (2)said that even though the Iredell commissioners had always allowed citizens to speak at
the meetings, it had been recommended that a more official public comment be held.
He said it had been agreed that the following would be added to the board's Rules of
Procedure:
Public Comment Period
A public comment period shall be held at the second regular meeting of the
board each month for citizens who desire to speak on matters relating to county
government. If for any reason the board cancels a meeting, or temporarily revises the
meeting schedule, a public comment period shall be held at least once during the month
as is required by state law. Comments made during this segment of the meeting
should pertain strictly to county business, and the following guidelines are to be used:
• Citizens desiring to speak should complete a sign-up sheet that will be in the
possession of the meeting's host (county department head). The host will be stationed
at the entrance area of the Commissioners' Meeting Room.
• Thirty (30) minutes shall be allotted for the entire public comment period.
• Three (3) minutes shall be allotted per speaker.
• Topic Exclusions: Matters that concern the candidacy of any person seeking public
office, including the candidacy of the person addressing the board; matters which are
the subject of public hearings; matters which are closed session items, including but not
limited to topics within the attomey-client privilege, anticipated or pending litigation,
personnel, and matters which are made confidential by law. In addition, citizens will
not be allowed to solicit business during board meetings nor to discuss the sale or lease
of fixed assets if they are a party to the transaction.
• Citizens requesting to speak at the first meeting of the month shall be considered on
a case-by-case basis; however, as much as possible, the public should utilize the Public
Comment Period scheduled on the second meeting of the month.
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In addition, the county manager said the board had agreed to hold the Public
Comment Period after Unfinished Business and prior to New Business.
Commissioner Johnson said it had been a pleasure serving with board members
who welcomed public comments at the meetings, and he didn't think the law was
written for Iredell's commissioners. He said instead, it was written for groups who
didn't always value public input. Johnson said these were the groups that were not as
transparent in their dealings on public matters as the commissioners. He said he took
some umbrage of the law that had been imposed upon the board by a group of people
who had used secret meetings to pass the state budget and had violated their own
Constitution in the ratification of the lottery. Johnson said, "This is a little discomfiting
and a bitter pill to swallow, but in the interest of transparent and honest government, I
support this."
Chairman Tice said she saw very little difference in the usage of the public
comment period and the commissioners' procedures in the past, since the board
members had always been receptive to citizen participation. She said, however, the
revision to the Rules of Procedure would put in writing the actions needed to comply
with the state statute.
10. Request for Approval of a Resolution Supporting Evacuees of Hurricane
Katrina: The following resolution was approved. (See briefing minutes for additional
information.)