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Council duc with e Pu l p <br />PCJ LI STNS <br />Making the public feel welcome is an important part of the democratic process. No signs of <br />partiality, prejudice or disrespect should be evident on the part of individual Council members <br />toward an individual participating i_n a public forum, Every effort should be made to be fair and <br />impartial in listening to public testimony. <br />e we~cain to speakers and treat he with care and gentleness <br />Speaking in front of Council can be a difficult experience for some people. Some issues the <br />Council undertakes nosy affect people's daily lives and homes, Sorne decisions are emotional. <br />The way that Council treats people during public hearings can do a lot to make them relax or to <br />push their emotions to a higher level of intensity. <br />lie fair and eultab~e ~. a~~ocat~g pubic hearng ~.~ne ~o indl~dua~ speakers <br />The Mayor will determine and announce limits on speakers at the start of the public hearing <br />process, Generally, each speaker will be allocated three~n~inutes with applicants and appellants <br />or their designated representatives allowed more time, rf many speakers are anticipated, the <br />Mayor may shorten the time limit andlor ask speakers to limit the:Cnselves to new information <br />and points of view not already covered by previous speakers. <br />No speaker will be turned away unless he or she exhibits inappropriate behavior. Each speaker <br />may only speak once during the public hearing unless the Council requests additional <br />clarification later in the process. After the close of the public hearing, no mare public testimony <br />will be accepted unless the Mayor reopens the public hearing for a limited and specific purpose, <br />~lve the appearance o ac~lve lis~en~.g <br />xt is disconcerting to speakers to have Council members not look at them when they are <br />speaking. It is fine to look down at documents or to make notes, but reading for a long period of <br />time gazing around the room gives the appearance of disinterest, ~e aware of facial expressions, <br />especially those that could be interpreted as "smirking," disbelief, anger or boredom. <br />Ash for clarif~caon, but avol.d debate and argument with the pub~,c <br />only the Mayor ~- not individual Council members a~ can interrupt a speaker during a <br />presentation., However, a Cauncilmember can ask the Mayor for a paint of order if the speaker is <br />off the topic or exhibiting behavior or language the Cauncilmember finds disturbing. <br />If speakers become flustered or defensive by Council questions, it is the responsibility of the <br />Mayor to calm and focus the speaker and to maintain the order and decorum of the meeting. <br />Questions by Council members to members of the public testifying should seek to clarify or <br />expand information, ~t is never appropriate to belligerently challenge or belittle the speaker, <br />Council members' personal opinions or inclinations about upcoming votes should not be <br />revealed until after the public hearing is closed, <br />* Na personal aac~s of any ' d, under any clrcus~ance <br />Council members should be aware that their body language and tone of voice, as wail as the <br />words they use, can appear to be intimidating or aggressive. <br />7 <br />