23-04 DocuSign Envelope ID:5F60CA4D-7F03-450E-9CE1-046DB5FA7152
RESOLUTION NO. 23-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, CREATING A CITY COUNCIL RULE RELATING
TO THE RECEIPT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CITIZEN
COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Florida Statute § 286.0114(2)guarantees the public's right to be heard
regarding any proposition brought before the City Council for a vote or official action; and
WHEREAS, Council Rule 6 describes the procedure and timing to be utilized for
in-person comments; and
WHEREAS, Council Rule 1 provides for evening meetings of the City Council,
which the City Council has found conducive to maximizing public participation; and
WHEREAS, citizen comments are occasionally submitted in advance, by
electronic means, rather than the citizen speaking to the Council directly during the
Council meeting; and
WHEREAS, the current Council rules do not define the process by which said
comments are to be received or acknowledged; and
WHEREAS, an informal practice has arisen in which the City Clerk reads each
citizen's comments aloud when submitted by electronic means prior to the meeting; and
WHEREAS, this practice arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to
promote citizen engagement during a time when in-person meetings had been
suspended; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has returned to Thursday evening meetings in
person, which can be and often are attended by citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City Council utilizes an electronic system called iLegislate that is
capable of receiving and categorizing citizen comments submitted by electronic means;
now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Rule 6, Council Rules is hereby amended as follows:
ORDER OF BUSINESS
(1) The order of business for a regular meeting shall ordinarily be:
Resolution No. 23-04
DocuSign Envelope ID:5F60CA4D-7F03-450E-9CE1-046DB5FA7152
A. Invocation
B. Pledge
C. Special recognitions and presentations (Proclamations, service awards, or
other special recognitions. Presentations by government agencies or groups
providing formal updates to Council will be limited to ten minutes.)
D. Minutes of previous meetings
E. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on agenda. Any citizen who submits
electronic comments by 5:00pm on the calendar day prior to a Council meeting
at which official action is to be taken, when said comments are designated
specifically for the next Council meeting, will be acknowledged by name. The
Chair shall read the citizen's name phonetically, unless the citizen has indicated
a different pronunciation. The Chair shall not read the citizen's comment aloud,
but shall verbally confirm with the City Clerk that each citizen comment has
been received into the record. Each person who wishes to address the Council
in person shall complete a comment card and submit the card to the City Clerk
(right-hand side of dais) before the speaker will be permitted to speak (if the
speaker has just arrived or decided to speak, the Chair may allow the card to
be filled out after speaking). Individuals will limit their comments to a maximum
of three minutes. The speaker's microphone may be turned off after that time.
F. Consent agenda
G. Public hearings (not before 6:00 p.m.)
Legislative and administrative matters:
1. Presentation of issues by City staff.
2. Statement of case by applicant or representative (5 minutes).
3. Council questions.
4. Comments in support and comments in opposition. See subsection (3)
below regarding time limitations for speakers. Comments submitted
electronically by 5:00pm on the calendar day prior to the meeting will be
acknowledged in the same manner as comments submitted pursuant to
Council Rule 6(l)-E.
5. Council questions.
6. Final rebuttal by applicant or representative (5 minutes).
7. Council motion to determine disposition.
Quasi-judicial Hearings:
1. Staff states its recommendation and briefly summarizes its reasons for
the recommendation and submits record (minutes, staff report, and
application) adduced before the Community Development Board (2
minutes).
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DocuSign Envelope ID:5F60CA4D-7F03-450E-9CE1-046DB5FA7152
2. Applicant presents case, including its testimony and exhibits. (15
minutes).
3. Staff presents further evidence. (10 minutes).
4. Public comment. See subsection (3) below regarding time limitations
for speakers. Comments submitted electronically by 5:OOpm on the
calendar day prior to the meeting will be acknowledged in the same
manner as comments submitted pursuant to Council Rule 6(1)-E
5. City Council discussion.
6. Applicant may call witnesses in rebuttal (5 minutes).
7. Conclusion by applicant (3 minutes).
8. Decision.
Second Reading of Ordinances
1. Public comment. See subsection (3) below regarding time limitations
for speakers.
All time limits may be extended upon request, and upon approval of
request by majority of City Council.
H. City Manager reports.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this?nd day of March, 2023.
DocuSigned by:
Frank Hibbard
Mayor
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Approved as to form: Attest:
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DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
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David Margolis Rosemarie Call
City Attorney City Clerk
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