5.D. PRSR 07-12-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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mle allows any individual or group to be placed on the proposed agenda, but reserves to the board the right to decide whether there is time to hear its comments. If the board chooses to open the meeting for public comments on a particular issue, it must be careful not to censor individuals or groups based on their point of view on that issue, in order to avoid violating the speakers' constitutional right to freedom of speech. For further information on public comment during board meetings, see A. Fleming Bell, II, John Stephens, and Christopher M. Bass, "Public Comment at Meetings of Local Government Boards," Parts One and Two, Popular Government 62 (Summer 1997): 3-14 and (Fall 1997): 27-37, respectively. Rule 6. Order of Business Items shall be placed on the agenda according to the order of business. The order of business for each regular meeting shall be as follows: Discussion and revision of the proposed agenda; adoption of an agenda Approval of the minutes Public hearings Adtninistrative reports Committee reports Unfurished business New business Infomral discussion and public comment By general consent of the boazd, items maybe considered out of order. Comment: Note that the suggested order of business places public hearings and administrative reports early in the meeting. These aze the main items that involve citizens and administrative officials who may not need or wish to be present for the entire meeting. Unfmished business under these rules consists of matters that are tamed over from a previous meeting that was adjourned before the board completed its order of business and matters that were specifically postponed to the present meeting [see Rule 16(b), Motion 11]. Rule 7. Presiding Officer The chair of the boazd shall preside at board meetings if he or she is present, unless he or she becomes actively engaged in debate on a particulaz matter. The chair [shall have the rightto vote only when there is a tie] [may vote in all cases]. In order to address the board, a member must be recognized by the chair. If the chair is absent, the [vice-chair] (another member designated by vote of the board] shall preside. [If both. the chair and vice-chair are absent, another member designated by vote of the board shall preside.] The vice-chair or another member who is temporarily presiding retains all of his or her rights as a member, including the right to make motions and the right to vote. If the chair becomes actively involved in debate on a par[iculaz matter, he or she [may] [shall] designate another board member to preside over the debate. The chair shall resume presiding as soon as action on the matter is concluded. The presiding officer shall have the following powers: J ~To rule motions in or out of order, including any motion patently offered for obstmctive or dilatory purposes;