TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Faust, MMC, City Clerk
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Review and Possible Updates of City Commission Policy No. 2020-04 - Public Comment and City Commission Policy No. 2021-03 Rules of Order and Decorum.
Recommended Action
1. Direct the City Clerk to work with the City Attorney to amend Commission Policy No. 2020-04 and to bring back to Commission for approval.
2. Direct the City Clerk to work with the City Attorney to amend Commission Policy No. 2021-03 and to bring back to Commission for approval.
Background Information
On March 14, 2024, City Attorney Slayton sent an email to the City Commission regarding Revising City Commission and Meeting Decorum Policies due to the application of First Amendment law (attached email/memorandum for full details).
> Public Comment Policy. The City Commission should consider amending Policy No. 2020-04, Public Comment to clarify "general public comment" is for comments on matters that do not appear on that agenda but that relate to City business."... "Currently, the relevant section of City Commission Policy No. 2020-04, Public Comment, states general public comments "...may be on any subject." The City Commission should consider clarifying that the purpose of "general public comment" is to allow for comment on matters that are not on the agenda but that relate to municipal business."
> "Enforcement of City Commission Policies. Revising the text of City Commission Policies Nos. 2020-04 and 2021-03 may support the City's position in addressing potential constitutional challenges based on the policies' language ("facial challenges"). To survive potential constitutional "as-applied" challenges, the City must apply and enforce the policies consistently, regardless of the speaker's viewpoint."
> "Rules of Decorum. The City Commission may also consider revising the Rules of Decorum section of City Commission Policy No. 2021-03 to:...
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