Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Request to Increase Public Speaking Time During Oral Communications.
End
publichearing
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Council Member NamQuan Nguyen
Councilwoman Amy Phan West
Prepared by*: Christine Cordon, City Manager
*Staff reports prepared by staff on behalf of members of the City Council do not reflect the opinions of staff and are generated in collaboration with the requesting council member(s).
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Consider the request to increase the amount of time for public speakers during Oral Communications; and
B. Provide direction regarding introduction of an Ordinance for first reading entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.04.040 (MEETINGS-DISCUSSIONS-REFERRAL TO DEPARTMENTS) OF THE WESTMINSTER MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIVE TO ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AT COUNCIL MEETINGS,” read by title only and waive further reading.
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BACKGROUND
This item is requested by Council Member NamQuan Nguyen (District 4) and seconded by Councilwoman Amy Phan West (District 1).
Currently, public comments are heard during the Oral Communications portion at the beginning of the meeting for items on the agenda, and at the end of the meeting for items that are not on the agenda. Speakers are given three minutes to speak once in each Oral Communications portion. When someone utilizes a translator, pursuant to State law, that person’s time is doubled to six minutes.
In 2023, the City Council approved reducing the speaking time from five minutes to three minutes to encourage a more efficient meeting and to allow business to be conducted in a timely manner during hours when the public can reasonably attend and participate.
Since the reduction, Council Member Nguyen and Councilwoman Phan West have seen the improvements in meeting efficiency, but they have also acknowledged the importance of free speech and allowing adequate time for members of the community to be heard. They have expressed their confidence that through respect and decorum, the meetings will remain efficient even with the increase in speaking time.
If the proposed change is implemented, the time for speakers during oral communications would be increased to five minutes per public speaker. A separate five-minute time limit would apply to speakers during each public hearing. Ten minutes would be allotted to any speaker who utilize an interpreter.
Changes to Oral Communications require an amendment to the Municipal Code (Attachment 2).
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of the recommended action is minimal, and funds have been budgeted in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in Account No. 100-12000-44070 (Advertising) and 100-12000-43090 (Contracts - Quality Code) to cover costs for publication and the Westminster Municipal Code amendment.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The City Council is requested to consider the proposed changes, and to provide direction and/or adopt the attached ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2605
2. Proposed Ordinance
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager