23-14 DocuSign Envelope ID: 14FFA654-59AD-4692-BC32-74CEE6333855
RESOLUTION NO. 23-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, AMENDING COUNCIL RULES; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 2.08 of the Clearwater City Charter requires the City Council
to determine its own rules and order of business; and
WHEREAS, it is vital for local governments in Florida to use their meeting times
productively because Florida law requires all public meetings to be noticed in advance,
and because Florida law generally prohibits two or more Councilmembers from meeting
separately in private; and
WHEREAS, the Courts have ruled that said meetings are considered limited public
forums for purposes of First Amendment analyses; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of City Council meetings is to conduct an orderly meeting,
to receive input from citizens regarding matters on the agenda, and to vote on Council
business; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to respect the time that City staff devote to
evening Council meetings, and allow department directors and other staff to return home
to their families after their agenda items conclude; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reserves time at each meeting for citizens to speak
on matters unrelated to the agenda, as long as said comments relate to City business,
and as long as said comments do not disrupt the meeting or supersede discussion
regarding items on the agenda;
now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Rule 6, Order of Business, be amended as follows:
(1) The order of business for a regular or special meeting of the City Council or
Pension Trustees shall ordinarily be:
A. Invocation
B. Pledge
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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. Consent Agenda
F. 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.
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).
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.
5. City Council discussion.
6. Applicant may call witnesses in rebuttal (5 minutes).
7. Conclusion by applicant (3 minutes).
8. Council motion to determine disposition.
Second Reading of Ordinances
1. Public comment. See subsection (3) below regarding time limitations
for speakers.
2. Council motion to determine disposition.
All time limits may be extended upon request, if approved by a majority of
the City Council.
G. Citizens to be heard regarding items pertaining to City business but not on
the agenda. For purposes of this role, "items pertaining to City business"
includes any matter within the Council's or the City Manager's power to act, any
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matter that the Council previously voted on or discussed at the dais, or any
matter discussed by or scheduled to be considered by another governmental
entity that affects the operation of the City. Each person who wishes to address
the Council 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. However,
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 Mayor shall advise the speaker that their time has expired.
If the person remains at the podium, thereby interfering with other persons who
may wish to be heard, the speaker's microphone may be turned off, or the Mayor
may rule the person out of order in accordance with Rule 15.
H. City Manager reports.
I. City Attorney reports.
J. Council Discussion Items (work session only)
K. Other Council action (if agendaed from work session)
L. Closing comments by Councilmembers (limited to 3 minutes)
M. Closing comments by Mayor.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of September, 2023.
DocuSigned by:
Brian Aungst, Senior
Mayor
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Approved as to form: Attest:
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uSigned by: DocuSigned by:
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David Margolis Rosemarie Call
City Attorney City Clerk
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