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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-19 Public Comment - M. Brown - Public Speaking Rules at Commission MeetingsFrom:Marilee Brown To:Agenda; Cyndy Andrus Cc:Chris Mehl; Jeff Krauss; Terry Cunningham; I-Ho Pomeroy; Greg Sullivan Subject:In a quandary about public speaking rules on Monday night. Date:Sunday, December 01, 2019 3:16:20 PM Madam Mayor, I am writing to express my worries and ideas on public speaking at Commission meetings. The most important item to me is number 1 and I really will need an answer before Monday Dec. 1 at 6:00. 1) According to your rules I may not be able to speak on several of the agenda items that areupcoming this Monday night. Your rules (as copied below) state that although there is time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item, I will only beallowed to speak once. There are at least 3 agenda items this Monday night that I may want to speak on depending on the presentation. None of them relate to each other. And on at least one of them I am going tobe representing a group and not myself. If I speak on all of them at one time in open comments, the messages will be lost and have limited time. So how should I chose to handle this? Toss a coin to see which one I shouldspeak to you about? What should I do? 2) Additionally, it has bothered me for a long time that you require the public on live stream to state their name and address. It puts my daughter’s and my safety at risk. I have actuallyhad one person show up on my door step and scream at me for my view point. It was very scary. If you really think that there is no issue, then perhaps the Commission and Staff shouldpublicly state their names and home addresses at the beginning of the meeting. Or you could do as other commissions do and just ask that speakers sign in on a written log. 3) When people practice their speeches at home, they often do not include the introduction of themselves in timing their presentation. Additionally, when a commissioner interrupts themto ask their name, precious time disappears and as a result their speech is cut off at the end. The timer should start after someone states their name and address (if required). 4) From the public’s point of view, it is frustrating to hear that they have limited 3 minute time and yet a commissioner can grand stand for much longer than 3 minutes. You may wantto consider limiting commissioner comments. The public will thank you. Thanks for your consideration. Best Regards, Marilee Brown G. Public Comment - Please state your name and address in an audible tone ofvoice for the record. This is the time to comment on any matter falling within the scope of the Bozeman City Commission. There will also be time in conjunctionwith each agenda item for public comment relating to that item but you may only speak once. Please note, the City Commission cannot take action on any itemwhich does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the City Commission shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of theaudience shall be respectful of others. Please limit your comments to three minutes.