[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Butler as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 1-6-2020 by Res. No. 20-04[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This resolution also superseded former Art.
I, Public Comments, adopted 1-2-2018 by Res. No. 18-04.
Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 1993-20, as amended (Sunshine
Act[1]), the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Butler
shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular
meeting and advertised special meeting for residents and taxpayers
of the Township to comment on matters of concern, official action
or deliberation which are or may be before the Board. If the Board
determines that there is not sufficient time at a meeting for residents
or taxpayers of the Township to comment, the Board may defer the comment
period to the next regular meeting or to a special meeting occurring
in advance of the next regular meeting. The Board has established
two public comment portions in each regular and special meeting; the
first is public comment on agenda items and public comment on nonagenda
items. Individuals speaking on agenda items will be heard at the beginning
of the meeting. Individuals speaking on nonagenda items will be heard
at the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
The Board of Commissioners finds that a reasonable opportunity
for comment involves strict adherence to the following regulations:
A.
Individuals desiring to speak will be recognized by the President
of the Board of Commissioners.
B.
Once recognized by the President of the Board, the citizen shall
proceed to the microphone and give his/her name and address.
C.
No citizen shall attempt to monopolize the time set for public comment.
D.
No citizen shall use abusive language, or engage in scandalous or
insulting remarks about any other person.
E.
Speakers shall be limited to three minutes unless time is extended
by a vote of the Commissioners.
F.
Speakers, individually or in concert, shall not comment by singing.
G.
Comments shall be directed to matters of concern, official action
or deliberation, which are or may be before the Board.
H.
Speakers shall relinquish the floor upon direction from the President
of the Board that time has expired or that the speaker is in violation
of these regulations.
I.
No citizen shall attempt to interfere with the conduct of the balance
of business on the agenda or with any other speaker.
The Board of Commissioners may revoke the privilege of any citizen
to participate in the business meetings of the Board and may remove
any person from the room who disrupts the proper conduct of the meeting,
in violation of these regulations.
