CITY COUNCIL
ERRATA SHEET
CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE
300 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, California 93950
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Bonnie Gawf, Interim City Clerk
MEETING DATE: 11/15/2023
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting Agenda- Errata Sheet
Attached is additional information for your consideration at the November 15, 2023 City Council Meeting:
Agenda Item Information Provided/Corrected
13A
Public Comment at Meetings of Legislative Bodies
Attached is a complete copy of the Monterey City Council's Governance Policy M. This is meant to correct an error within the agenda report, as some words were omitted in the citation of this policy.
Please note that the error was only within the agenda report, and the first attachment to that report includes the correct version of Policy M.
Attachments
Corrected Policy M
M. Public Comments for Meetings of the City Council, Boards, Commissions, and Committees. To facilitate free speech and maintain meeting efficiency, the following is intended to establish reasonable regulations to be enforced fairly and without regard to speakers’ viewpoints.
1. Public Comments for Items on the Agenda - Public Appearance and Public Hearings:
a. The Mayor or Chair will determine the approximate number of persons wishing to speak at the beginning of each public comment period for Public Appearance and Public Hearing items, and the time estimated to complete the business on the agenda. Based on the number of anticipated speakers in the City Council Chambers and on Zoom, the Mayor or Chair will identify the maximum time allotted for public comment. This will generally be two to three minutes per speaker during a public comment period not to exceed a total of 30 minutes. In exceptional circumstances and when necessary to ensure a full opportunity for public input, the Mayor or Chair may, with the legislative body’s consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker. The time limits could be shortened or lengthened. Public speakers who require interpreters shall be given at least twice the time limit for other speakers.
2. Public Comments for All Other Items (including, but not limited to, Consent Items, Closed Session Items, Matters Not on the Agenda, Presentations, Joint Powers Agency Special Meetings, etc.):
a. The same rules outlined in Section M(1)(a), above, apply to public comments offered for all items other than Public Appearance and Public Hearing items, except that the maximum time allotted for public comment on each item is a maximum of 15 minutes.
b. If a meeting has two sessions, public comment on matters not on the agenda will be received in both the afternoon and evening sessions, and individuals may choose to speak once at either session, but not at both sessions.
3. Disruptive Behavior
a. Disruptive behavior is behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting. (Government Code section 54957.95.) It can include noncompliance with these established rules of decorum, such as exceeding speaker time limits or speaking out of turn, provided the behavior actually disrupts the meeting.
b. As a precondition to removing a disruptive individual, the Mayor or Chair must first warn the individual that their behavior is disruptive and that failure to cease their disruptive behavior could result in removal from the meeting or being muted on Zoom. The individual may then be removed or muted on Zoom if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. A warning is unnecessary if the disruptive individual is using force or makes a true threat of force. c. The occurrence of disruptive behavior via Zoom remote participation will automatically trigger City staff to agendize a discussion about whether to continue to allow remote participation at the next Council meeting.