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If the member of the public refuses to follow the direction of the presiding officer, the <br />presiding officer may direct the sergeant -at -arms to remove the person through any lawful <br />means. In emergency situations, or where conduct is an egregious threat to the safety of the <br />public or the council, a warning is not necessary before the sergeant -at -arms is directed to <br />remove the person. <br />C. Public comment period. A limited forum for members of the public to speak with the council <br />is provided on the agenda. Public comments during the public comment period are subject to <br />these limitations: <br />1. Speakers must be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking <br />and are limited to three minutes for comment. <br />2. When multiple speakers appear to speak on the same topic, comments <br />should not be repetitive. The presiding officer may request speakers to <br />appoint a spokesperson. <br />3. The presiding officer may place a time limit on the public comment <br />period if necessary to allow for the conduct of city business. If there is <br />not sufficient time at the meeting to hear all public comments, the <br />comment period may be deferred to the next regular council meeting or <br />at a continued meeting. <br />4. Speakers must sign up prior to speaking and provide a name, address, <br />and brief summary of the subject matter they wish to address. The sign- <br />up sheet will be available at the start of the city council meeting. <br />5. Speakers must direct their remarks toward the presiding officer. <br />6. Speakers shall not use obscene, profane or threatening language, nor <br />conduct themselves in a threatening, loud, or boisterous manner that <br />disrupts the conduct of the meeting or the security of the public. <br />7. Speakers are required to follow the direction of the presiding officer. <br />8. Speakers who do not follow the direction of the presiding officer will be <br />warned that further disruptive conduct will result in removal from the <br />meeting. After warning, if the conduct continues the presiding officer <br />may ask the speaker to leave. If the speaker refuses to follow the <br />direction of the presiding officer, the presiding officer may direct the <br />sergeant -at -arms to remove the speaker through any lawful means. In <br />emergency situations, or when conduct is an egregious threat to the <br />safety of the public or the council, a warning is not necessary before the <br />sergeant -at -arms is directed to remove the speaker. <br />9. Council will generally not respond at the same meeting where an issue is <br />initially raised by a member of the public. Matters raised for the first <br />Minnesota <br />Mayors 51 <br />Association <br />