HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/26/2013 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 020, 2013, AMENDINDATE: February 26, 2013
STAFF: Steve Roy
Wanda Nelson
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 6
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 020, 2013, Amending Section 2-35 of the City Code with Regard to the Removal
of Persons from City Council Meetings.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on February 5, 2013, amends City Code to allow the presiding
officer of a City Council meeting or City Council committee meeting to order the removal of any person who
significantly and intentionally disrupts such meeting by failing to comply with the requirements of the presiding officer
in maintaining order during the meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Copy of First Reading Agenda Item Summary - February 5, 2013
(w/o attachments)
COPY
COPY
COPY
COPY
ATTACHMENT 1
DATE: February 5, 2013
STAFF: Steve Roy
Wanda Nelson
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 31
SUBJECT
Items Relating to Citizen Participation at City Council Meetings.
A. Resolution 2013-008 Adopting Amended Rules of Procedure Governing the Conduct of City Council Meetings
with Regard to Citizen Comment.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 020, 2013, Amending Section 2-35 of the City Code with Regard to the
Removal of Persons from City Council Meetings.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Resolution amends the Rules of Procedure governing City Council meetings to give greater clarity to the
expectations and responsibilities of citizens participating in such meetings. The Ordinance amends City Code to allow
the presiding officer of a City Council meeting or City Council committee meeting to order the removal of any person
who significantly and intentionally disrupts such meeting by failing to comply with the requirements of the presiding
officer in maintaining order during the meeting.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Since 2003, the Council has conducted its meetings under rules of procedure that govern the length of meetings,
citizen comment, Council questions and debate, and basic rules of order. These Rules of Procedure have been
amended on occasion to reflect changes, refinements, and clarifications to the procedures.
Additional guidelines have been added to the “Citizen Comment” portion of the Rules of Procedure. These items
outline time limits, manner of address, yielding the podium, yielding a portion of one's time, audible expressions of
support or opposition, signs, distribution of literature, and video and audio recording.
Presently, Section 2-35 of the City Code requires approval of the majority of City Council in order for persons to be
removed from a City Council meeting if any person fails to comply with the requirements of the presiding officer in
maintaining order during the meeting. The proposed Ordinance states that the Mayor (or presiding officer) may direct
a removal under these circumstances.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and the Ordinance on First Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PowerPoint Presentation
ORDINANCE NO. 020, 2013
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 2-35 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS WITH
REGARD TO THE REMOVAL OF PERSONS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS, the City Council has previously adopted rules of procedure governing the
conduct of its meetings and has, through the adoption of Resolution 2011-107, recently amended
those rules; and
WHEREAS, the enactment of laws pertaining to the conduct of meetings of City Council is
a matter of purely local concern; and
WHEREAS, Section 2-35 of the City Code, which provides for the removal from City
Council meetings of persons who fail to comply with the requirements of the presiding officer,
currently requires City Council authorization of such removal, which in turn requires a motion and
vote of the Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes it to be more appropriate for the Mayor or other
presiding officer of the meeting to authorize such removal; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has recommended certain other amendments to Section 2-35
to ensure that removal occurs only if a person in attendance at the meeting significantly and
intentionally disrupts the meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Section 2-35 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 2-35. Removal from meetings.
The presiding officer may order the removal from a City Council meeting or a City
Council committee meeting of any person who significantly and intentionally
disrupts such meeting by failing to comply with the requirements of the presiding
officer in maintaining order during the meeting.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 5th day of
February, A.D. 2013, and to be presented for final passage on the 26th day of February, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 26th day of February, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk