Huntsville residents wanting to address the City Council on any matter not on the agenda will no longer have to wait until the end of a council meeting to do so.
The council amended its Rules of Policy and Procedure regarding its Order of Business on the agenda during Tuesday night’s regular session at City Hall.
Council member Mac Woodward made the motion to move up public comments relating to any matter not on the agenda from the last item on the agenda to the fifth item.
The council approved it 7-1.
Comments relating to any matter not on the agenda will precede public comments regarding agenda items only.
Public comments will also be taken, if necessary, relating to any matter not on the agenda after the council member/city manager report.
For items on the agenda, the speaker will be limited to 5 minutes to complete his or her comments.
A limit of one hour is established for completing public comments regarding agenda items.
During public comments regarding any subject, speakers will be limited to 2 minutes to complete their comments.
A limit of 15 minutes is established for completing public comments not on the agenda.
In addition, questions or requests for information shall be directed to the presiding officer who will then determine whether, and in what manner, a response will be provided.
During comments regarding agenda items, council members may request the floor to respond to any resident’s comment with information or to ask follow-up questions as appropriate.
Council members may only direct comments and questions to the speaker and may not take the opportunity to discuss matters among themselves.
Responses to comments or inquiries regarding matters not on the agenda shall be limited to:
• A statement of specific factual information given in response to the inquiry, or,
• A recitation of existing policy in response to the inquiry.
Any deliberation of, or decision about the subject of such an inquiry, shall be limited to a proposal to place the subjhec on the agenda for a subsequent meeting.
“All I was doing was providing for public comments not related to the agenda and moving it to the beginning to the meeting for people to have an opportunity to make public comments at the beginning of the meeting on general topics,” Woodward said.
“I limited that to 15 minutes total time and each person would have 2 minutes,” he said. “The point is the council provides a forum for people to come and express their concerns and tell us about issues or problems they might be having.
“Rather than having to wait until the very end of the meeting, I think it’s appropriate and responsive to let people make their points at the beginning of the meeting. If people do not get to say everything they wanted to say, then there is an another opportunity at the end of the meeting.”
“We will have two public comment slots in the council agenda,” Woodward said. “One at the beginning and one at the end. That also gives people, if things come up in the agenda, they can comment on those things at the end of the meeting, too.
“Now that time period will be open. Hopefully we can get through those at the beginning of the meeting and we won’t need that at the end. At least there will be one other opportunity if people want to comment.”
Local News
No more waiting to address city
- Local News
-
-
Fresh Face at City Hall
-
New Waverly VFD saves house
Emergency responders quickly extinguished a fire before it caused serious damage to a home in southern Walker County on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Crawfest back for 7th year
For the past seven years, Walker County residents have been cracking claws for a cause.
-
Museum photo contest back
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum has announced it is now accepting entries for its 2012 photo contest.
-
Region VI education participants receive certificates
Through the Adult education program, Region VI provides instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), General Education Development (GED) preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL), to individuals that did not complete high school, desire to increase academic skills, would like to obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate or who simply desire to become more proficient in speaking English.
-
Award for criminal justice legislation
- Sheriff’s Office releases crime map to public
-
SHSU graduates join Army as officers
Fifteen ROTC cadets at Sam Houston State University, including 12 criminal justice majors, were officially commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army during a ceremony last week.
-
STAFS donors remembered
The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility honored 27 individuals, including six veterans and a cancer victim whose final weeks were documented in a KTRK news story, for donating their bodies for research at the facility during the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
SHSU honors staff
Four Sam Houston State University employees who have demonstrated excellence in service, commitment, meritorious performance and a high level of motivation have been selected as recipients of the 2012 Staff Excellence Award.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
