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Guidelines for Gem Lake Meetin s Public Comment at Council Meetings and of Public Hearings City Council Meetings are the forum for the. city council to conduct the city's business. While city council meetings are open to. the public, pursuant to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, they are not forum for publ.icexpression. As such, members of the public are not allowed to participate in council discussion and debate without a specific invitation and/or formal recognition by the presiding officer. As a courtesy to other members of the public and the council, individuals are asked to refrain from di sruptive.behavior including shouting; speaking out of order, and other actions that are intended'to be disruptive. Common courtesy is expected, and respect to one another is essential for order of business. Gem Lake allows for a public comment period. at the end of each city council agenda for all regularly.scheduled meetings. Public comments are subject to these limitations: 1. Speakers must be recognized by the presiding .officer (usually the mayor) before speaking and are limited to three minutes each. 2. When multiple.speakers appear to speak on the saute topic, comments should not be repetitive. The presiding officer may request speakers appoint a spokesperson: 3. The presidingofficer may place a:time limit on the public comment period if necessary to allow for the conduct of city bu..siness. If this does not allow sufficient time to hear all public comments, the comment period may deferred to the nextregular council meeting, 4. Speakers may be required to sign u.p priorto speaking and are required to state their name and address when approaching -the podium. 5. Speakers must direct their remarks to the presiding officer, or to the entire council. 5, Speakers shall not. use obscene, profane or threatening language, n.or conduct themselves in a threatening, loud or belligerent manner that disrupts the conduct of the. meeting. 7. Speakers are required to follow the direction of the presiding officer. 8. Speakers who do not follow the direction of the presiding officer will be warned that further disruptive conduct will result in removal from the meeting. After warning, if the conduct continues the presiding officer may ask the speaker to leave, 9. Council wilI generally not respond. at the same meeting where an issue isinitially raised by the public. Generally, the matter will be referred to. staff, legal counsel,. or others for further research and possible report or action at: a future meeting. Public_ Hearings are sometimes required. by law to allow the public to offer input on city council decisions. When public hearings are required by law, notice shall be provided as required by state statute. Public hearings shall be commenced at the time advertised in any notice required bylaw. Guidelines for Gem Lake. Meetings — adopted July 18, 2.017