To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Supervisor Haschak
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Haschak |
Phone: |
707-463-4221 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff Regarding “Rule 18a: Public Expression” of the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Supervisors
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding revisions to “Rule 18a: Public Expression” of the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Supervisors.
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Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On January 7, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Rules of Procedure, including “Rule 18.a. Public Expression” providing the Chair with discretion to invoke the 10-minute limit rule for single subject matter topics not on the Board’s agenda during Public Expression.
Summary of Request:
The 10-minute rule for a single subject in Public Expression (items not on the Board of Supervisors Agenda) has been in the Rules of Procedure for many years and has been implemented at the discretion of the Chair. The issue includes balancing the reasonable availability of public expression for items not on the agenda with achieving the efficient and effective operation of a public meeting with scheduled business so that taxpayer money is not wasted. When there is unlimited public expression at the beginning of the meeting (which can range from none to multiple hours), lengthy public expression can significantly delay the timing of publicly noticed/agendized items, leading to government inefficiency, e.g., when staff has to wait for their item as opposed to working on other departmental business. However, adherence to the 10-minute rule is problematic in that some items are debatable, and/or not clearly defined as a single topic. Additionally, if public expression has an overall cap in time allowing for up to three minutes each, some people may be unable to speak if they are later in line. Possible options are:
1. Leave the rule as is, allowing the Chair to use discretion in applying the rule when needed, in the interests of efficiency, combined with the Chair gauging the number of people who want to speak on certain topics.
2. Delete 10-minute per subject from the rule, leave the 3 minute per person cap and allow for unlimited overall time for Public Expression.
3. Limit public expression to an overall cap, e.g., 30 minutes. No single topic limit. Individual speakers will be counted and individual time determined by Chair, ranging from 1-3 minutes each, depending on the number of speakers.
4. Spreading out public expression, e.g., 20 minutes at beginning of meeting, 20 minutes before lunch, and any remaining comments after Supervisor reports.
5. For debatable issues, allow 3 speakers pro and 3 speakers con with 2.5 minutes each.
6. Change the time of Public Expression for after all regularly calendared items and prior to adjournment.
There may be other options as well to be discussed during the meeting. It would be helpful for the Board to set a course that respects the availability of public expression and the efficiency of conducting the public’s business at each meeting.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Take no action to revise Rule 18.a. Public Expression of the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Supervisors.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Darcie Antle, CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Direction Given to Staff |
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Date: February 11, 2025 |
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