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POLICY FOR PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT AT CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS
In accordance with Section 4.06 City Charter, the following policy is established for members of
the public attending or speaking at City Council meetings, and supplements Newport News City
Code Sections 2-36(c) and 2-64.
City Council recognizes and appreciates the value of public attendance and comment at City
Council meetings. Public attendance allows citizens to understand the workings of City Council
and public comment allows the members of City Council to hear the concerns of citizens. Out of
awareness that strong opinions can exist on a variety of topics, it is important to have a policy in
place that allows City Council to conduct City business in an orderly, efficient, and effective
manner.
1.
Anyone wishing to speak at a City Council meeting must sign up at such place as is
designated by City staff at the meeting. There is no public participation at City Council
work sessions.
Speakers must indicate whether they wish to speak concerning a matter on City Council鈥檚
agenda for the meeting, or on another matter germane to the business of City Council.
Matters germane to the business of City Council are those matters that City Council is
empowered to address. They do not include, although the following items are not all
inclusive: issues or topics dealing with the hiring, firing, or disciplining of City employees
other than council appointees, unless specifically authorized by the City Charter; the
assessment of value for taxation on a specific parcel or parcels of property; the management
or operation of the school system or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth of
Virginia or the activities of a constitutional officer; the management or control of probable
or actual litigation or other law business of the City; statements in support of or in
opposition to any candidate for public office, with exception of offices filled by
appointment of the City Council; statements or announcements which call attention to or
publicize the activities or events of organizations, groups or an individual, when said
activity or event is not sponsored by the City of Newport News or its officers; and topics
of state or national interest that are beyond the authority of City Council, including
resolutions regarding such topics.
If the speaker is addressing a matter germane to the business of City Council, the speaker
must identify the City Council interest, action, function, event, board, commission, or
agency to which the comments pertain. Failure to stay on that topic will result in forfeiture
of the remaining time that allotted to the speaker. No person who refuses to provide any of
the information required by this paragraph shall be permitted to speak during the Citizen
Comment period.
The Mayor or presiding Councilmember shall call individuals to speak in order of sign-up.
Each individual shall have three (3) minutes to speak. Speakers may not yield their time to
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