CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – At their February 16, 2016 meeting, City Council adopted new meeting procedures intended to help ensure more efficient Council meetings while also expanding the opportunity to hear from a variety of citizens during public comment. Many of the procedures remain the same as before.
Changes of which the public should be aware include:
- Publicly post Council’s governing procedures on the City’s website in a prominent location
Closer adherence to Robert’s Rules of Order in deliberations, including through formal motions and discussion periods
Incorporate most work sessions into the second Council meeting each month
Allot a maximum of 20 minutes for presentation and discussion of most agenda items
Limit most Councilor comments to 3 minutes, the same limit as comments by members of the public
Expand opportunities to speak during the first public comment period by allowing requests in advance by email and and/or telephone, which will be chosen through a random selection process for speaking slots and a wait-list.
In the event that more than 12 people sign up to speak, a random selection process will choose the 12 individuals who will speak during the first public comment period. This is a pilot and will be evaluated after six months. Previously, 12 members of the public could sign up on a paper list beginning at 6:30PM before the start of the Council meeting. The time limit for speakers remains three minutes. Matters by the Public at the end of the meeting will remain the same, with no limit on number of speakers and the same three minute time limit.
The revised procedures will be posted on the City website, www.charlottesville.org, within the week.
